[42] A Melanesian New Caledonia Kanak Carved Hardwood War Club with a large mushroom shaped indented head Smooth silky old dark patina Early 19th Century
s i z e : 66 cm long – 26 ins long s e e : Finch & Co catalogue no. 20, item no. 63, for another New Caledonian club The archipelago eluded European discovery until Cook sailed down the east coast in 1774. Comparing the islands to the west coast of Scotland from the deck of the Resolution he named them New Caledonia. In the two weeks Cook spent in the islands he found little hostility from a people who had developed their culture in relative isolation until his arrival. In contrast to most areas of Melanesia a system of hereditary chieftainship operated. Many diverse dialects were spoken, but there was a general cultural homogeneity throughout the islands. Both religious and secular art was produced, but now the extinction of traditional culture has been so complete that little or nothing is known of the function or significance of the objects that were created. Now known as Kanak, the islands are surrounded by barrier reefs and warm Pacific seas, and still have a unique indigenous flora and fauna.