Pacific Islands Arts
Pacific Islands is included on our website as those native artifacts were commonly brought home by sea captains engaged in the Pacific Islands trade, especially whaling. War clubs and other island cultural items are very popular from Polynesia.
A0298 CHARLES R. MALDEN'S PERSONAL COPY OF VOYAGE OF HMS BLONDE TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS WITH LETTERS & HAWAIIAN KAPA BROUGHT BACK BY MALDEN
Lieut. Charles Robert Malden 1797-1855 was the surveyor aboard HMS Blonde on her voyage to return the bodies of the King and Queen of Hawaii who had died in England of measles. Malden did surveys around the islands including Honolulu, Hilo and the Kilauea volcano which plan is illustrated in the book. On the return they discovered an island which was named "Malden Island"
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This copy comes with a section of Hawaiian Kapa Mulberry paper which was brought back by Malden. Also a series of family letters mostly written by Charles Malden as well as a manuscript journal by his son William Herbert Malden who served in the Crimean War
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$5400
A0304 VERY EARLY HAWAIIAN KOU WOOD CALABASH
This fine calabash is hand carved from Kou wood and probably dates from the early 19th century. It contains two indigenous repairs: A wood patch (poho) and "butterfly" (pewa). The bowl measures 10 inches dia.
$4250
A0306 FINE HAWAIIAN KOU WOOD CUP
This small calabash cup is made from Kou wood, the favorite material from which calabash containers were fashioned. It appears to have been turned so would date after 1850 when calabash bowls began to be turned on imported lathes. This has a wonderful patina and measures 5 inches diameter.
$650
A0307 RARE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER NUPEPA KUOKOA 1862
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa first appeared in 1861. Though published with Christian Mission support, it was among the first independent Hawaiian newspapers, free of Western religious influence. The content dealt with foreign events and especially like this issue, with the American Civil War as well as articles dealing with Hawaii.
This issue has numerous ads including sailings of inter-island vessels.
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa was printed large format on very cheap paper. As a result very few come on the market and also suffer from damage. This issue has some insect damage as well as cuts to the paper.
$150
A0308 A RARE EARLY ISSUE OF THE HAWAIIAN NEWSPAPER THE POLYNESIAN 1840
This rare issue of The POLYNESIAN dated October 24, 1840 is number 20 of the first year of publication. The POLYNESIAN was published weekly in Honolulu in English and some Hawaiian from June 6, 1840 to December 11, 1841 (first series), and again from May 18, 1844 to February 6, 1864 (second series). James Jackson Jarves first published the paper and it became the "Official Journal of the Hawaiian Government".
This issue deals primarily with a firsthand account of the wreck of the whaleship INDEPENDENCE and The U.S. Exploring Expedition under Wilkes. Also contains Marine News and various advertising.
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$550
A0309 THE POLYNESIAN HAWAIIAN NEWPAPER 1857
This issue of the POLYNESIAN is dated July 25, 1857 and is part of the second series of the paper published by Charles Gordon Hopkins.
The POLYNESIAN was published weekly in Honolulu in
English and some Hawaiian from June 6, 1840 to December 11, 1841 (first series), and again from May 18, 1844 to February 6, 1864 (second series). It became the "Official Journal of the Hawaiian Government".
This issue contains 8 pages with various news articles, marine shipping news and various advertising.
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$350
A0276 SCRIMSHAW CARVED SPERM WHALE TEETH OF GILBERT ISLANDS WARRIORS
A remarkable pair of relief carved sperm whale teeth depicting male and female Gilbert Islands warriors, each holding shark toothed weapons and coconut-shell toddy containers. The warriors are clearly identified as Gilbert Islanders because of the Kiribati shark tooth weapons they hold. These teeth are featured in an article by Stuart M. Frank in the Scrimshaw Observer which will be included with the teeth.
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These teeth were not done by the natives of Gilbert Islands but by an unknown whaleman. They are related to other relief carved teeth which depicts ancient Pictish warriors which also show male and female warriors are holding weapons.
This pair of teeth are probably unique. They measure 6 inches and have a fine mellow patina. They once were mounted in a stand which is now missing.
$8250
$350
A0245 EXCEPTIONAL FIJIAN "GATA" WAR CLUB
Often wrongly referred to as "gun-stock" clubs, these massive weapons were among the most popular used by Fijian warriors. The name "Gata" or "Tido-ni-gata" means "Strike of the Snake"
This museum quality example is exceptional, being in near perfect condition with a dark deep patina and no damage. Made of very heavy wood with the cutting cheeks left with the natural graining of the wood. This example is the best we have had. Measures 41 inches.
SOLD
A0218 HAWAIIAN NEWSPAPER THE FRIEND 1856 & 1857
The Friend published by Rev. Damon, began as a monthly newspaper for seamen in 1845, which included news of Hawaii and other Pacific Islands. Though a temperance paper, it included extensive news of the whaling industry and naval activity. Also ship arrivals and departures and a listing of marriages and deaths. Offered here are two years of 24 issues: 1856 and 57. They have been professionally preserved and mounted in a fine clamshell box. The issues are basically loose and have a mixture of conditions as seen. The December 1856 issue is missing the last leaf.
$875
A0171 PAPUA NEW GUINEA SPEAR
Barbed spear made from palmwood tipped with animal horn. 19th-early 20th century. 8' 10"
$225
A0152 RARE HAWAIIAN GOURD CONTAINER
This is a simple 19th century utilitarian gourd calabash still containing food remnants. Traces of early coating on the outside. 14.5 cm diameter.
$1250
A0147 EARLY FIJIAN CLUB TOTOKIA
This is a classic war club commonly called a battle hammer or pineapple club. Heavy head and stone carving zizzag pattern on the handle. Probably early 19th century or earlier.
$1850
A0145 SAMOAN WAR CLUB FA' ALAUTALINGA
An fine example with both surfaces decorated with chip-carved designs, the top thickened to form a striking area at the side. The lower area on one side incised with a unusual and rare name similar to letters on a Maori tambua, possessing a dark lustrous patina, the bottom with remnants of a carved suspension lug, tip of one side of blade with small repair. 19th century or earlier.