I- Kiribati Tetoanea / Te Winnarei / Rere (Shark Tooth Sword)
I- Kiribati Te Toanea / Te Winnarei / Rere (Shark Tooth Sword)
I- Kiribati
The Gilbert Islands (Kiribati)
Mid- 19th century (ca. 1865 - 1890)
Coconut palm wood, shark teeth, palm fiber, human hair
Club Handle: 21,6cm
Club & Handle: 86,4cm
Collection Date: 2020
Collection Number: 143
Ex. Rick Stroud (RSWORD): Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (2020)
A rare shark tooth sword from the I-Kiribati cultures of Micronesia known as te toanea and/or te winnarei. The Te Papa National Museum in Wellington, New Zealand, terms their example as "rere" or shark tooth sword as well. They are part of a larger group of traditional weaponry including clubs, knives, swords, and spears that incorporate shark teeth used in the I-Kiribati culture throughout the indigenous Tungaru Islands, now known as the Gilbert Islands and their outerlying islands. Shark teeth were important culturally and were the main implement of defense in ritual duels held to defend honor and settle disputes.
The club is composed of coconut palm wood comprised of four rows of reed, each with two spines interconnected with studded shark teeth attached (often tiger shark or grey nurse shark). Each tooth is drilled and fixed by sennit and human hair binding. Original braided palm fiber lanyard fixed through a drilled hole in the handle.
This is a fine example of a rare earlier club, corresponding to around the mid to last quarter 19th century when compared to museum and private collection examples. Minor losses to the teeth and in very good condition for its age. A magnificent display of the I-Kiribati craftsmanship and culture associated with the warriors of Micronesia. A true fighting sword.
Photograph 14: Two warriors in traditional I-Kiribati armor with weapons. Gilbert Islands, late 19th century.
[1] W. O. Oldman, “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens”, September 1905: List No. 30; Item #28 (2937)
[2] W. O. Oldman, “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens”, List No. 91 Vol. vii.; Item No. 9 (23520)
[3] https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/85957
[4] https://prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/prm-object-118622
[5] https://prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/prm-object-67043
[6] https://prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/prm-object-48849
[7] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Oc-7975
[8] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Oc1895-463-a
[9] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Oc-14
[10] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Oc-St-875-d?selectedImageId=1063661001
[12] https://collections.bowers.org/objects/146075/sword-tetoanea-or-tewinnarei
[13] https://tribalartemporium.com/page237.html
[14] https://www.tribalartemporium.com/page162.html
[15] https://www.tribalartemporium.com/page163.html
[16] https://www.fg-art.org/en/artwork-of-the-month-archives/the-art-of-armour-in-kiribati
[17] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11515&highlight=MARSHALL+ISLANDS