Shell-inlaid Ceremonial Dance Club “Alafolo”
Malaita, Solomon Islands, late 19th c.
Carved wood with shell inlay
32.5” x 3” x 2” (82.55 x 7.62 x 5.08 cm)
SOLD
Alafolo or afui are anthropomorphic clubs found across the island of Malaita. As war clubs, blows were struck with the edges of the club, which varied in length from under three to four feet, rather than the nose (Akin 1983: 15–16). However, at least some of these clubs served a largely ceremonial function, particularly those rare examples with shell inlay (Waite 1983: 133).
A rare example with pearl shell inlay. Missing some shells.
