Description (Labels & Markings)
An old label glued to the object reads: 'War club used by the Easter Islanders visited by HMS Topaz in [...] 1868 / Mitford W. Pye'
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Context (Field collection)
This object was collected during the HMS Topaze expedition to Rapanui in 1868. It is during that expedition that the two large stone moai now in the British Museum were collected: Hoa Hakananai'a (BM Oc1869,1005.1) and Moai Hava (BM Oc1869,1006.1). The collector of the club at MAA is given by Beasley as Mitford W. Pye - this could be Mitford William Pye, born in 1851, and recorded in the Royal Naval Officer's Service Records Index (1756-1931) as having enrolled on 24 March 1865. He died in October 1872 (aged 21). More research needs to be undertaken to confirm that he is indeed the collector [Lucie Carreau, 31/08/2017].
Event Date 1868
Author: Lucie Carreau

Context (Other owners)
This object was previously in the collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley, no. 1043. It is recorded in Beasley's original acquisition register (vol.2) as: 'EASTER ISL. (RAPA NUI): Chief staff of red wood. The end carved as a double head. Having the eyes inlaid with bone + obsidian. Obtained by H.M.S. Topaz, 1868 by mitford W. Pye + formerly in the possession of H.W. Page Phillips of Pyrford, Sussex. Sold at Stevens Rooms, Lot 133 + Bt by S. Fenton M.O.O. Fenton Comm A.O.O. W.O Comm H.O.O.' It was acquired on 25 July 1916 for 8/-/- [Lucie Carreau, 31/08/2017].
Event Date 25/7/1916
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Labels & Markings)
A label glued to the object reads: 'Beasley Collection / Rapa Nui / Easter Isl. / Chiefs staff called UA / H.M.S. Topaz 1868 / No 1043'
Event Date 25/7/1916
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Physical description)
Ua. Polished wooden paddle club, with face carved on each side of top of handle. Eyes formed of a shell ring with obsidian centre, but only one is complete.
Event Date 1/6/1996
Author: maa

Loan (Long Term Gallery Loan)
Museu de Cultures del Món, Barcelona, 13/01/2014 to 31/01/2018, Polynesia gallery, Museu de Cultures del Món
Event Date 13/1/2014
Author: Rachel Hand

Description (Physical description)
Long club, ua, with Janus head finial and inlaid eyes.
Event Date 16/12/2014
Author: maa

Conservation ()
CON.2014.188 |
Event Date 1/3/2016
Author: maa