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A double headed war club, or 'u'u, from the Marquesas Islands (Te Henua 'Enana). Made of heavy ironwood, or toa, the head of the 'u'u has human-like faces on both sides. These faces are composed of smaller faces and pairs of eyes. The eyes and nose, for instance, are made of small human heads. There are other faces carved at the top of the head and on the edge just above the crossbar. Under the crossbar is a band of intricate carving, another face, and three final bands of carving. There is a long tapered handle ending in a slightly flared base. The carving is slightly different on both sides. 'U'u were carried by members of the warrior class and were used as weapons and as signals of status.
clubs (weapons)
ironwood
Polynesian
Club
Original to Phillips House (Salem, Mass.),
E47,159
FD017
Unknown
Pacific Island Group
6 7/8 (W) (inches)
Gift of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Charitable Trust for Historic Preservation
2006.44.1154
Îles Marquises (French Polynesia) [island group]
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