This item is a very old and large Polynesian Povai Club from the Tongan Islands, located just east of Fiji. It was made out of a very dense tropical hardwood called Ironwood (Casuarina Equisetifolia). It has a circular cross section throughout. It is proportioned similar to a baseball bat with an expanded end. The handle has a diameter of 5 cm. The head has a diameter of 9 cm. The entire curved surface has extremely detailed incised classic Tongan style art.

It is in very nice condition. There are a few narrow age cracks on one side of the expanded head. Age cracks are expected on very thick Polynesian artifacts. I have seen three other Tongan war clubs like this one and all had age cracks in the same location. This club has the smallest cracks of any that I have seen.

I acquired this artifact from the Barclay Gallery in 1988. Barclay Gallery acquired it from an auction house in the UK. It was listed as an Assassin's club from the late 18^th or early 19^th centuries. A very fine artifact and one of the best pieces in my personal collection for almost 40 years.