Antique \"Napa\" Santa Cruz Island, Soloman Islands Dance Wand 31 1/2\" x 2 1/4\"d For Sale

Antique HandCrafted Santa Cruz Islands “Napa” (Ceremonial Ochre Painted Dance Club), SolomonIslands Carved from Native Tropical Wood

Circa:Late 19thor Early 20th Century

31 1/2 inches (80 cm) longx2 1/4 inches (5.8cm)wide and deep

The dance wand or club known as a“napa”wascreated from a single log of wood. It is decorated with red, white and black naturalmineral paint. The form is that of an abstracted canoe, with two opposing stylizedancestor heads.

According to tradition the original “napa” wand isattributed to a supernatural being called Bamuda who transmitted to a malerecipient the canoe shape along with associated songs and dances. Thatindividual’s descendants, including children, have a traditional right toperform with the wands. Part of the ritual involved the participants bangingtheir wands together which may account for the splits.

This wand was from aBerkeley, California collection.

Shipping insurance is included in the USA and on international shipments when available.

Shipping can be combined on multiple items if feasible.

Satisfaction is guaranteed.

This item is guaranteed to be authentic and in the condition described.

This sale is presented by Jerry Weisberg trading in tribal antiques since 1973.