THROWING CLUB (I ULA TAVATAVA)

Mr Skenner, collected in situ circa 1889

Australian Museum, Sydney (inv. no. E.53480), donated by the above in 1949

Denver Art Museum (inv. no. NP-P(F) 1-XX-17), acquired from the above by exchange on September 16, 1950

Harry A. Franklin, Beverly Hills, acquired from the above by exchange in April, 1962

The i ula is the quintessential Fijian throwing club. Fergus Clunie notes that "one to three throwing clubs were worn in the warrior's waistband, often at the back, being thrust through his girdle like a brace of pistols, of which they were roughly the Fijian equivalent; being essentially a close range projectile weapon carried in addition to a heavier weapon, ready to hand as the situation demanded." (Clunie, Fijian Weapons and Warfare, Suva, 1977, p. 60).