American Samoa (not certain), Samoa (not certain) / United States (not certain) / Tonga (not certain), Polynesia (not certain)
Accession Date:
1858
Collection Date:
1838 to 1842
Notes:
BATON SHAPED CLUB WHICH IS COVERED WITH INTRICATELY CARVED GEOMETRIC DESIGNS, TYPICAL OF TONGAN DECORATIVE CARVING, LIKELY COLLECTED IN SAMOA. THE PROXIMAL END HAS A CARVED SUSPENSORY LUG. HAS ORIGINAL PEALE TAG; ALSO WRITING READ UNDER ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, "PORPOISE [brig USS Porpoise was one of the ships used on the U.S. Exploring Expedition] NO. 8, JUNE 1840 VIA BOSTON [SHIP]". THIS OBJECT WAS IDENTIFIED AS TONGAN BY CURATOR SAUL RIESENBERG, 1965.
FROM CARD: "BATON TYPE. ORIGINALLY CATALOGED BY PEALE AS SAMOA BUT IS TONGAN IN APPEARENCE (RIESENBERG 7/7/65)."
