Patu Onewa (stone club)
Date1800s
Mediumbasalt stone
Dimensions33.7 × 9.5 cm (13 1/4 × 3 3/4 in.), 2 lb. (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.604
DescriptionPaddle-shaped, grey stone club of very flattened oval section. End opposite becomes circular in section & swells to form a knobbed grip encircled by 3 decorative grooves. Butt pierced for the attachment of a wrist thong. Club shows no signs of wear or damage from use & is incredibly finely crafted & polished overall. Accession number written near edge on one face in black ink.Label TextWood is very tough, allowing it to be made into long weapons without breaking. But even the hardest wood is too soft to hold a cutting edge. Stone is much harder, but tends to be brittle, which is why weapons like the patu onewa have to be fairly short and thick.ProvenanceCollection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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