Two early Fijian Bowai pole clubs, 18/19th century, [2], both…
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Two early Fijian Bowai pole clubs, 18/19th century, [2], both of the highest aesthetic quality, both carved from hardwood and extremely straight with exceptional form flaring towards the striking end & also at the grip which is covered in fine & deeply incised tavatava designs. Provenance: Robert Henry Pulleine (1869-1935), physician and naturalist, was born on 7 June 1869 at Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand, Son of Frederick Arthur Pulleine, later first registrar of the South Australian school of Mines and Industries, and his wife Lucy Jane, nee butt. His childhood was spent in Fiji. The family moved to Adelaide in 1881 and Robert attended the Collegiate school of St Peter before working at the Public library of South Australia in 1885-87, in the neighbouring South Australian Museum he developed his interest in natural science / Todd Barlin collection. L. 103 cm, 107 cm

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  • School of .... - In the opinion of the cataloguer, a work by a pupil or follower of the artist.
  • Incised - A record of a name, date or inscription, or a decoration scratched into a surface, usually of a glass or ceramic item with a blunt instrument to make a coarse indentation. Compare with engraving where the surface is cut with a sharp instrument such as a metal needle or rotating tool to achieve a fine indentation.

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