Pacific Islands Arts
Pacific Islands is included on our website as those native artifacts were commonly brought home by sea captains engaged in the Pacific Islands trade, especially whaling. War clubs and other island cultural items are very popular from Polynesia.
A0298 CHARLES R. MALDEN'S PERSONAL COPY OF VOYAGE OF HMS BLONDE TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS WITH LETTERS & HAWAIIAN KAPA BROUGHT BACK BY MALDEN
Lieut. Charles Robert Malden 1797-1855 was the surveyor aboard HMS Blonde on her voyage to return the bodies of the King and Queen of Hawaii who had died in England of measles. Malden did surveys around the islands including Honolulu, Hilo and the Kilauea volcano which plan is illustrated in the book. On the return they discovered an island which was named "Malden Island"
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This copy comes with a section of Hawaiian Kapa Mulberry paper which was brought back by Malden. Also a series of family letters mostly written by Charles Malden as well as a manuscript journal by his son William Herbert Malden who served in the Crimean War
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$5400
A0308 A RARE EARLY ISSUE OF THE HAWAIIAN NEWSPAPER THE POLYNESIAN 1840
This rare issue of The POLYNESIAN dated October 24, 1840 is number 20 of the first year of publication. The POLYNESIAN was published weekly in Honolulu in English and some Hawaiian from June 6, 1840 to December 11, 1841 (first series), and again from May 18, 1844 to February 6, 1864 (second series). James Jackson Jarves first published the paper and it became the "Official Journal of the Hawaiian Government".
This issue deals primarily with a firsthand account of the wreck of the whaleship INDEPENDENCE and The U.S. Exploring Expedition under Wilkes. Also contains Marine News and various advertising.
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$475
A0309 THE POLYNESIAN HAWAIIAN NEWPAPER 1857
This issue of the POLYNESIAN is dated July 25, 1857 and is part of the second series of the paper published by Charles Gordon Hopkins.
The POLYNESIAN was published weekly in Honolulu in
English and some Hawaiian from June 6, 1840 to December 11, 1841 (first series), and again from May 18, 1844 to February 6, 1864 (second series). It became the "Official Journal of the Hawaiian Government".
This issue contains 8 pages with various news articles, marine shipping news and various advertising.
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$350
A0218 HAWAIIAN NEWSPAPER THE FRIEND 1856 & 1857
The Friend published by Rev. Damon, began as a monthly newspaper for seamen in 1845, which included news of Hawaii and other Pacific Islands. Though a temperance paper, it included extensive news of the whaling industry and naval activity. Also ship arrivals and departures and a listing of marriages and deaths. Offered here are two years of 24 issues: 1856 and 57. They have been professionally preserved and mounted in a fine clamshell box. The issues are basically loose and have a mixture of conditions as seen. The December 1856 issue is missing the last leaf.
$875
A0306 FINE HAWAIIAN KOU WOOD CUP
This small calabash cup is made from Kou wood, the favorite material from which calabash containers were fashioned. It appears to have been turned so would date after 1850 when calabash bowls began to be turned on imported lathes. This has a wonderful patina and measures 5 inches diameter.
$650
SOLD
A0145 SAMOAN WAR CLUB FA' ALAUTALINGA
An fine example with both surfaces decorated with chip-carved designs, the top thickened to form a striking area at the side. The lower area on one side incised with a unusual and rare name similar to letters on a Maori tambua, possessing a dark lustrous patina, the bottom with remnants of a carved suspension lug, tip of one side of blade with small repair. 19th century or earlier.
$1550
A0245 EXCEPTIONAL FIJIAN "GATA" WAR CLUB
Often wrongly referred to as "gun-stock" clubs, these massive weapons were among the most popular used by Fijian warriors. The name "Gata" or "Tido-ni-gata" means "Strike of the Snake"
This museum quality example is exceptional, being in near perfect condition with a dark deep patina and no damage. Made of very heavy wood with the cutting cheeks left with the natural graining of the wood. This example is the best we have had. Measures 41 inches.