“Clubs”, “maces”, “traditional weapons”... behind these reductive terms lies a category of objects long confined by clichés and prejudices. At the instigation of the exhibition curator, Steven Hooper, Power and Prestige seeks to do them justice and to shine a light on the complexity, beauty and cultural importance of these works of art which offer an insight into the cultures of the Pacific as a whole, from Australia to Easter Island. A first for an exhibition of this scale, which brings together 140 exceptional pieces conserved in public and private European collections. While acknowledging the warrior dimension and the stake of violence, both real and symbolic, associated with the clubs, the exhibition focuses particularly on highlighting the sophistication of their carving, their ornamentation and all of the material and spiritual characteristics that make them more than just simple tools. The clubs are thus revealed as sculptures, works of art, objects of representation, symbols of authority and prestige, images and vessels of the divine, trade goods and ceremonial instruments. Nor does the exhibition overlook the historic value of pieces alternately designated as souvenirs, trophies, ethnographic documents and more.

Presented at the Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti in Venice from 16 October 2021 to 13 March 2022.

The exhibition is organised by the Fondazione Giancarlo Ligabue in Venice and the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris.

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