A beautiful ancient U'u club, carved from ironwood (casuarina equisetifolia), which stands out for its remarkable volume and the quality of its carving. Its two-sided decoration, superbly enhanced by the deep dark patina, is classically composed of a deeply curved pediment, adorned on either side with three tiki heads carved in high relief, two of which form the radiant pupils of "solar eyes". This is followed by an elaborate entablature, punctuated by a finely engraved register of motifs that, tattooed on the body or reproduced on objects, represent atua (gods), in their tutelary and protective role. See : Art and Artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas. The James Hooper Collection, Phelps, 1976, p. 1006, pl. 55 Marquesas Archipelago, Polynesia Hardwood, old western restorations visible on the two lateral extremities and a piece of the somital part, visible old wear and cracks, very beautiful old patina. H. 135.5 cm Provenance : Michel Koenig, Brussels Collection Monsieur V., Brussels acquired in the 1990s