Spear club
Taiaha
The taiaha is the Maori version of the spear club. Early examples are short and plain with no carving, while later examples are much longer and entirely covered with complex knotwork engraving. The tapering spatulate blade could be used much like a slashing sword, and the narrow end was decorated with a janiform pair of faces with protruding tongue.
This staff would have been carried by a warrior. It was used to emphasize oratory points, hand to hand combat and ceremonial displays. A completely carved staff represented the office of a very distinguished male.
The taiaha is the Maori version of the spear club. Early examples are short and plain with no carving, while later examples are much longer and entirely covered with complex knotwork engraving. The tapering spatulate blade could be used much like a slashing sword, and the narrow end was decorated with a janiform pair of faces with protruding tongue.
This staff would have been carried by a warrior. It was used to emphasize oratory points, hand to hand combat and ceremonial displays. A completely carved staff represented the office of a very distinguished male.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- E1651
- Category
- Ethnography
- Collection Class
- Arms and armour
- Collection Area Region
- Australia and New Zealand
- Material
- wood
- Common Name
- spear club
- Simple Name
- club
- Production Country
- New Zealand
- Production Year High
- 1876
