Rare Tongan War Club Sells For £9,500

An unusually long late 18^th century ironwood ‘Aku-Tau’ or war club, hailing from Tonga, sold for £9,500 (plus buyer’s premium) in Tennants Auctioneers’ Militaria and Ethnographica Sale on 4^th September. Measuring 122cm long, the club was finely carved with geometric shapes and stylised human figures, known as glyphs. A rich, dark, shiny patina attracted the attention of collectors, helping the lot soar above the £2,000-3,000 estimate. From the same private collection as the club was a rare Korean ‘War’ Helmet that sold well too, despite being slightly misshapen. Possibly made in the 17^th Century, the lacquered leather and steel helmet sold to a South Korean buyer for £4,800.

Elsewhere in the sale an Indian Steel Bow comprising two sections screwed together sold for £1,700, and a group of five African tribal weapons including a Masai Lion Spear and a Polearm with a bill hook type blade sold for £1,600. A London Pistol Company Six Shot Single Action Percussion Revolver, which was patented in 1859, sold for £700, and a Late 18^th Century Irish Brass Crossbelt Plate sold for £1,500. The plate was engraved with a Maid of Erin harp and ‘BALLINTEMPLE INFANTRY 1796’, one of the numerous militia or Volunteer groups that sprung up in Ireland in the late 18^th century to guard against invasion and preserve law when British forces were withdrawn to fight in the American Colonies.

A collection of Celluloid and Photo Button Badges and Compact Mirrors sold very well, too. Manufactured by White & Lambert Ltd of Birmingham, they were retained after the business was sold. The badges proved popular in the saleroom, and a collection of 96 late Victorian and Edwardian celluloid button badges depicting patriotic flags, politicians and military leaders such as Winston Churchill and Lord Kitchener, sold for £900. Two early 20^th century ‘Votes for Women’ badges sold for £380, and a group of 10 late 19^th and early 20^th century football and cricket badges sold for £600.

The sale resulted in a total hammer price of £66,960 for 242 lots, with a sold rate of 91%.

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