Inanga Waihaka - New Zealand Jade War Club
PWA2516S
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This double sided Waihaka - NZ War Club features kōwhaiwhai patterns and is bound with a muka coloured braided wrist tau (cord). It sits on native timber base with brass fittings and hand-carved and polished by Alex Sands. It measures approximately 30 x 10.5 cm.
This Waihaka is an important example of pre-European Māori weaponry. It shows how Māori artisans used stone tools to fashion effective weapons for use in close combat, a preferred method of warfare. The whole blade edge might be used to parry blows or strike an opponent during combat.
Wahaika translates to "mouth of the fish", in reference to the notch on one side which is used to catch an opponent's weapon.
This piece was hand carved by Alex Sands
