Club Item Number: Ih212 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
One piece, cylindrical, brown wood club with slightly flared ends. Stout shaft swells slightly to carved blunt grip end. Carved pattern is vertical zigzag lines separated from others by straight lines and bordered by four horizontal bands of the same. Extends down the length to cover one-fifth. Blunt opposite end is conical-shaped. Dark brown patina.
Double-handed clubs, or i wau, come in a variety of types, the bowai being one type. These clubs were used in close combat to bludgeon, or to defend by holding out in front, or in ceremonial dance.
Alan Sawyer notes: Late 19th century; sold by the Peabody Museum as 'duplicate materials' many years ago; purchased by the donors from a New York dealer in 1963.