392 Memoirs Bcniicc P. Ilisliof' Museum 



type are elaborately carved according to a set convention, the decoration of the numerous 

 specimens examined varying only in minor details (PI. lxix, A). 



Each side of the cltib is treated as a separate unit, but tlie arrangement 

 and position of the various decorative elements on the two sides, and to a lesser 

 degree the designs employed, correspond. The carvings upon a single side are 

 arranged as follows : 



'&^ 



At the lower end of the expanded portion, next the handle, there is a broad transverse 

 band composed of decorative designs. Above this is placed a tiki face, minus the mouth, whose 

 ears rest against either edge of the club. Abjve this face in turn, tilling the space between it 

 and the bottom of the knobs, is a narrow band of carving broken in the center. The inner 

 ends of the sections are connected by narrow curved bands, or the space between them is 

 filled with one or two small detached designs. Above this band, on the line of the lateral 

 knobs, a small tiki face in high relief is carved centrally. The section above the lateral knobs 

 is divided into two equal parts by a low longitudinal keel and upon each of the halves thus 

 formed is carved a large circle or oval having in tlie center a head in high relief from which 

 lines run radially to its circumference. Above these circles, on the extreme end of the club, 

 a flat tiki face is carved centrally. The curve of the thick outer end of the club extends 

 upon either side to within about two inches of the lateral knobs and in a few specimens small 

 faces, directed laterally, are carved at its lower extremities. 



Practically all old //;( have a glossy black finish given bv Intrying the 

 finished implement for some time in the mud of a taro patch antl then rubbing 

 and polishing with scented coconut oil (paui). 



The uu have always been much sought after by collectors and this demand 

 has resulted in their continued manufactttre although the best modern examples 

 are only caricatures of the ancient specimens. The carefully worked out contours 

 of the old clubs have given place to flat stirfaces and angles, and the simple and 

 rigidly conventionalized decoration to elaborate and meaningless carvings. The 

 finish of the modern speciiuens is usually rough, and the wood is ah\avs left the 

 natural color, making them easily distinguishable. (PI. lxix, B.) 



The second type of IMarquesan club, called paralnta (Dordillon, 17) is also 

 well represented in collections. It has a handle identical with that of the uu 

 but the elaborately worked ottt head is replaced by a shar]:) edged blade closely 

 similar in form to that of a modern American canoe paddle (PI. lxix, B). 

 \\'eapons of this type appear never to have been carved or blackened, and are as 

 a whole longer than the uu. Some of these paddle clubs are remarkable for 

 their size and weight, one specimen in the Piishop Aluseum being 7 feet, 9J/-4 

 inches long with a blade length of 2 feet, lo^/' inches and a maximum blade width 

 of 7 inches. 



In many nu and paraJui there is a small hole pierced through the expanded 

 lower end of the handle, probablv for the attachment of a wrist loo]), and in some 

 specimens the grip is wrapped for a distance of 5 to 8 inches with fine plaited 



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