"Bowai," straight, pole-like, hardwood war club with natural nubbins around distal portion. This large club is decorated with intricate carving at the hand grip. Has original Peale tag. Examined by Kenneth P. Emory, Bishop Museum, june 1941. Exhibited magnificent voyagers, National Museum of Natural History, 1985-86. Exhibited sites "Magnificent voyagers," 1987-90. From card: "Bat type, rough. (this information given by k. P. Emory, bishop museum, 6/24/41)."
This object was collected in Fiji under the direction of Lt. Charles Wilkes, leader of the historic United States Exploring Expedition, the American scientific expedition to circumnavigate the globe. The objects collected from that expedition became some of the founding collections of the Smithsonian Institution.
- Title: War Club, "Bowai"
- Location: Fiji, Melanesia
- Physical Dimensions: L: 108.9cm D: 5.1cm D: 6.6cm
- Type: Club
- Rights: This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws. http://www.si.edu/termsofuse
- External Link: View this object record in the Smithsonian Institution Collections Search Center
- Medium: hardwood
- USNM Catalog Number(s): E2858
- Photo Credit: Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History
- Field: Ethnology
- Date Collected: 1838
- Accession Date: 1858
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