Throwing Club, Fiji

Throwing clubs from Fiji, known as 'ula' or various regional forms, represent a sophisticated tradition of Fijian martial and ceremonial craftsmanship dating back centuries. These objects were expertly carved from dense hardwoods such as vesi and nokonoko by skilled craftsmen, combining functional weaponry with intricate decorative patterning. They have been collected extensively since European contact in the 18th and 19th centuries and appear regularly at major ethnographic and tribal art auctions worldwide.