Superb Chief's or Priest's Shield-Club, Fiji/Tonga Islandscalacula length 43 3/4in (111cm)ProvenanceEuropean Private CollectionAcquired by the present owner from the aboveTongan artists were considered the supreme artists in the Fijian/Tongan area, thus many Fijian chiefs commissioned Tongan artists for their most important works. As a result, the Tongan artists would, on occasion, incorporate Tongan styles with the Fijian design, making their distinction sometimes unclear.The thin broad blade/shield carved with a raised cross pattern in the center, bordering fields with finely incised triangles, zigzags, crescents and circles; fine, deep reddish brown glossy patina.