167
20th C. Marquesas Islands Wooden U'u Club
1/4
Description
Oceania, French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands, Enata peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A fabulous u'u club, hand-carved from iron wood and meticulously polished to a smooth textured feel. The classic form of this example is comprised of a cylindrical shaft with a narrow vertical slit on one side leading upwards to a highly-stylized T-shaped paddle with a round, lightly-concave top. The neck of the paddle displays a set of highly-abstract janiform faces with dense carved motifs surrounding the lips and cheeks. Each side of the striking head depicts a pair of stylized human faces within radiating coronas as well as a third unadorned face below. Finely carved with raised decorations on both sides with rich, dark-brown matte patina. Size: 5.125" W x 44.2" H (13 cm x 112.3 cm); 44.7" H (113.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Wooden war clubs are common throughout Polynesia, but the face-shape is distinctive to the Marquesas, where the native name for a war club is "u'u." The motif seen on this club and ones like it are found throughout Marquesan carvings, including on wooden bowls and ear ornaments. They also would have been mirrored on the tattooed skin of the warrior who wielded the club, instantly recognizable to members of the culture as having a particular regional and personal identity.
Wood carving in the Marquesas Islands is a practice undertaken by many of the local master craftsmen, who are known as "tuhuna." The tuhuna are not only adept at wood carving, but are also skilled at tattoo art and adze manufacturing. Marquesan wooden crafts are considered among the finest in French Polynesia - they are highly sought after and of consistently high quality.
For a similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1979.206.1471: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313659
A similar example hammered for $68,500 at Sotheby's, New York "African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art Including Property from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation" Auction (May 13, 2011, lot 315): http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/african-oceanic-and-precolumbian-art-n08749/lot.315.html
Another similar example hammered for EUR 145,500 ($171,504.34) at Christie's, Paris (sale 13638, June 23, 2016, lot 45): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/sculptures-statues-figures/massue-uu-iles-marquises-epoque-1804-183-6004125-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=6004125&sid=ed263db5-8785-43c1-8bd2-55dc86a1b60c
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-William Cody collection, Palm Springs, California, USA
Condition: Minor abrasions to handle, pommel, and striking head, with softening to some finer details, wear to some raised areas, and light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits and fabulous patina throughout. Old inventory label on handle.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#135746
Wooden war clubs are common throughout Polynesia, but the face-shape is distinctive to the Marquesas, where the native name for a war club is "u'u." The motif seen on this club and ones like it are found throughout Marquesan carvings, including on wooden bowls and ear ornaments. They also would have been mirrored on the tattooed skin of the warrior who wielded the club, instantly recognizable to members of the culture as having a particular regional and personal identity.
Wood carving in the Marquesas Islands is a practice undertaken by many of the local master craftsmen, who are known as "tuhuna." The tuhuna are not only adept at wood carving, but are also skilled at tattoo art and adze manufacturing. Marquesan wooden crafts are considered among the finest in French Polynesia - they are highly sought after and of consistently high quality.
For a similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1979.206.1471: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313659
A similar example hammered for $68,500 at Sotheby's, New York "African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art Including Property from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation" Auction (May 13, 2011, lot 315): http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/african-oceanic-and-precolumbian-art-n08749/lot.315.html
Another similar example hammered for EUR 145,500 ($171,504.34) at Christie's, Paris (sale 13638, June 23, 2016, lot 45): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/sculptures-statues-figures/massue-uu-iles-marquises-epoque-1804-183-6004125-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=6004125&sid=ed263db5-8785-43c1-8bd2-55dc86a1b60c
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-William Cody collection, Palm Springs, California, USA
Condition: Minor abrasions to handle, pommel, and striking head, with softening to some finer details, wear to some raised areas, and light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits and fabulous patina throughout. Old inventory label on handle.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#135746
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Oceania, French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands, Enata peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A fabulous u'u club, hand-carved from iron wood and meticulously polished to a smooth textured feel. The classic form of this example is comprised of a cylindrical shaft with a narrow vertical slit on one side leading upwards to a highly-stylized T-shaped paddle with a round, lightly-concave top. The neck of the paddle displays a set of highly-abstract janiform faces with dense carved motifs surrounding the lips and cheeks. Each side of the striking head depicts a pair of stylized human faces within radiating coronas as well as a third unadorned face below. Finely carved with raised decorations on both sides with rich, dark-brown matte patina. Size: 5.125" W x 44.2" H (13 cm x 112.3 cm); 44.7" H (113.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Wooden war clubs are common throughout Polynesia, but the face-shape is distinctive to the Marquesas, where the native name for a war club is "u'u." The motif seen on this club and ones like it are found throughout Marquesan carvings, including on wooden bowls and ear ornaments. They also would have been mirrored on the tattooed skin of the warrior who wielded the club, instantly recognizable to members of the culture as having a particular regional and personal identity.
Wood carving in the Marquesas Islands is a practice undertaken by many of the local master craftsmen, who are known as "tuhuna." The tuhuna are not only adept at wood carving, but are also skilled at tattoo art and adze manufacturing. Marquesan wooden crafts are considered among the finest in French Polynesia - they are highly sought after and of consistently high quality.
For a similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1979.206.1471: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313659
A similar example hammered for $68,500 at Sotheby's, New York "African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art Including Property from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation" Auction (May 13, 2011, lot 315): http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/african-oceanic-and-precolumbian-art-n08749/lot.315.html
Another similar example hammered for EUR 145,500 ($171,504.34) at Christie's, Paris (sale 13638, June 23, 2016, lot 45): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/sculptures-statues-figures/massue-uu-iles-marquises-epoque-1804-183-6004125-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=6004125&sid=ed263db5-8785-43c1-8bd2-55dc86a1b60c
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-William Cody collection, Palm Springs, California, USA
Condition: Minor abrasions to handle, pommel, and striking head, with softening to some finer details, wear to some raised areas, and light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits and fabulous patina throughout. Old inventory label on handle.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#135746
Wooden war clubs are common throughout Polynesia, but the face-shape is distinctive to the Marquesas, where the native name for a war club is "u'u." The motif seen on this club and ones like it are found throughout Marquesan carvings, including on wooden bowls and ear ornaments. They also would have been mirrored on the tattooed skin of the warrior who wielded the club, instantly recognizable to members of the culture as having a particular regional and personal identity.
Wood carving in the Marquesas Islands is a practice undertaken by many of the local master craftsmen, who are known as "tuhuna." The tuhuna are not only adept at wood carving, but are also skilled at tattoo art and adze manufacturing. Marquesan wooden crafts are considered among the finest in French Polynesia - they are highly sought after and of consistently high quality.
For a similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1979.206.1471: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313659
A similar example hammered for $68,500 at Sotheby's, New York "African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art Including Property from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation" Auction (May 13, 2011, lot 315): http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/african-oceanic-and-precolumbian-art-n08749/lot.315.html
Another similar example hammered for EUR 145,500 ($171,504.34) at Christie's, Paris (sale 13638, June 23, 2016, lot 45): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/sculptures-statues-figures/massue-uu-iles-marquises-epoque-1804-183-6004125-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=6004125&sid=ed263db5-8785-43c1-8bd2-55dc86a1b60c
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-William Cody collection, Palm Springs, California, USA
Condition: Minor abrasions to handle, pommel, and striking head, with softening to some finer details, wear to some raised areas, and light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits and fabulous patina throughout. Old inventory label on handle.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#135746
Exceptional Day 2 Ethnographic Tribal Fossils
Sale Date(s)
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Ste 106
Boulder
Colorado
80027
United States
For Artemis Gallery delivery information please telephone +1 7208907700.
Important Information
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional ethnographic art from around the world. Today's sale will feature Pre-Columbian from the ancient americas, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, and incredible Fossils.
Terms and Conditions
Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. Your submission of bids in this auction constitutes your acceptance of these "Terms of Sale." 1. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. 2. By bidding in this auction, the bidder personally guarantees payment. The auctioneer has final discretion in all matters. In case of dispute, the lot(s) in question may be resold. Lots will be sold in their numerical sequence unless the auctioneer directs otherwise. 3. HIGH and LOW ESTIMATES are provided for each lot for reference only. The actual selling / hammer price may be higher or lower based on bidder demand. All lots will sell to the highest bidder without hidden / confidential reserves. 4. No lots will be released / shipped until payment has been made in full. Payment (in U.S. funds) may be made via personal check or money order, via credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. For PayPal payments please use "artemisgallery@gmail.com" email address for processing payments. 5. BUYER'S PREMIUM: A 24.5% Buyer's Premium will be added to the final price of each lot purchased through Artemis Gallery and will be paid by all bidders without exception. 6. CO SALES TAX: Appropriate Colorado Sales Tax will be added to all invoices, unless a valid CO seller's permit is on file with Artemis Gallery/Artemis Gallery Live prior to any bidding in the auction. Items shipped outside of CO (United States or international) are also sales tax exempt. 7. RETURN POLICY: In the event of an authenticity dispute, written notification of the dispute must be provided to Artemis Gallery within two business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. After Artemis Gallery is notified of the dispute, a written letter from a recognized expert in the field pertaining to the item in dispute must then be presented. If Artemis Gallery concludes that the assessment of the piece is accurate, a full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Gallery will either provide a pre-paid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Gallery will only remit refund after the item has been returned. In the event of an error in item description, condition report, provenance, or dimensions, written notification of the error must be given within two business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. A full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Gallery will either provide a pre-paid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Gallery will only remit refund after the item has been returned. If a return is requested for any reason other than the above, written notification with reason for return must be given within 15 days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data for Artemis Gallery to issue a refund to the original payment method. If notification is given after 15 days, the item may be returned for credit toward a future purchase or may be consigned for sale through Artemis Gallery. The item must be returned to Artemis Gallery at the buyer's expense and a refund or credit of the item price and buyer's premium (if applicable) will be provided after the item is returned. Original shipping charges will not be refunded. All items to be returned must be adequately insured and must be received by Artemis Gallery in the same condition as when shipped. In no event may any item be returned after 90 days from the date of delivery. 8. 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In the event a successful bidder fails to make payment when due, Artemis Gallery reserves the right to re-sell the merchandise and bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such a sale and to pay any difference between the resale price and the previously successful bid, together with any incidental costs of sale and disbursements. 11. If the auction invoice is not paid for in full when due per invoice terms, including any applicable credit card processing fees, the unpaid balance will bear interest at the highest rate permitted by law until paid in full. If the matter is referred to an attorney for collection, bidder agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees, court costs and other collection cost incurred by Artemis Gallery to collect past due invoices and that the services of process by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, shall be sufficient to confer "in personam" jurisdiction over bidder. 12. Buyer agrees that any claim of controversy arising out of, or relating to the formation, interpretation of performance of these terms and underlying transactions or the breach thereof, is subject to arbitration or judicial proceedings and shall take place within the County of Boulder, CO subject to the laws of the State of Colorado. 13. QUESTIONS? Feel free to email us at info@artemisgallery.com with questions prior to bidding or feel free to call us at 720-890-7700. Please be sure to ask all questions at least 30 minutes prior to auction start time, as we will not be able to take calls or answer emails sent to us during the auction.
