£350
AN UNUSUALLY SMALL VANUATU 'BALL HEADED' CLUB NEW HEBRIDES, VANUATU, NORTHERN MALEKULA, 19TH CENTURY Fine glossy patina, old wear from use, modern stand 63cm long Provenance: Ex Danish collection Ex Private collection During the 19th century the Islanders of the New Hebrides suffered extreme abuse at the hands of whalers and other traders and they became known for their hostility. Their most famous victim was the Reverend John Williams, a Welsh Methodist missionary, 'The Martyr of Erromanga' who was killed in 1839, and ever after commemorated in a 'Baxter' print. Despite this, although inter-tribal warfare was frequent on the Islands it took the form of ambushes and local skirmishes and there were few fatalities. A carved wood club such as this was the most favoured weapon.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
| 1.00 to 20000.00: | 34.8% inc VAT* |
| 20001.00 to 500000.00: | 33.6% inc VAT* |
| 500001.00 to 1000000.00: | 27.6% inc VAT* |
| 1000001.00+: | 18.6% inc VAT* |
Flat Fee Registration
| 1.00 to 20000.00: | 31.20% inc VAT* |
| 20001.00 to 500000.00: | 30% inc VAT* |
| 500001.00 to 1000000.00: | 24% inc VAT* |
| 1000001.00+: | 15% inc VAT* |
