Fijian Sali from Brimfield

VANDOO · 14th September 2010, 05:39 PM

IN YOUR LAST PICTURE THE BLACK STUFF LOOKS LIKE THE OLD BLACK VARNISH FINISH ON SOME OLD FURNITURE IT TENDS TO CRACK UP LIKE THAT. IF YOU KNOW OF A GOOD SHOP THAT PROFESIONALLY REFINISHES ANTIQUE FURNITURE IN YOUR AREA YOU MIGHT DROP BY AND GET THEIR OPINION ON THE SUBSTANCE. IF IT IS SOMETHING THEY RECOGNIZE AND ARE SURE ABOUT THAT MAY GIVE YOU THE GO AHEAD TO REMOVE IT. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY SEEN THAT FINISH USED ON A CLUB BUT SOMEONE MAY HAVE VARNISHED IT LONG AGO TO PRESERVE IT. IT IS NOT AT ALL UNCOMMON TO FIND KRIS AND OTHER SWORDS VARNISHED BUT IS SEEN MUCH LESS WITH CLUBS. WISH I KNEW A REAL CLUB EXPERT TO RECOMEND BUT A VERY GOOD REFINISHER SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL BY LOOK AND SMELL. GOOD LUCK

Lee · 14th September 2010, 07:28 PM

I have a close friend who refinishes and rebuilds antique furniture who was over to the house yesterday evening, so we gave this sali a very close look. As a control, examination of my gata gave the expected result of 'unrecognized exotic wood,' but he felt that the grain and density of this sali were consistent with mahogany. He noted that the coating on the broken spur appears to overlay the adjacent finish slightly and to be slightly different and then he remarked that this coating reminded him a lot of the old failed shellac he regularly deals with. So I approached the sali this afternoon with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and found the black finish promptly dissolved. So we are dealing with some variant of old shellac.

Tim Simmons · 27th January 2012, 07:46 PM

I have only recently got a copy of "Fijian Weapons & Warfare" costly for a paperback but wow you need it. Anyway Lee this extract may just be what you need, as clearly your club is an old one and perhaps early. We have no idea what sort of resinous and soot based paint the Fijians used.

Gavin Nugent · 27th January 2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I have only recently got a copy of "Fijian Weapons & Warfare" costly for a paperback but wow you need it. Anyway Lee this extract may just be what you need, as clearly your club is an old one and perhaps early. We have no idea what sort of resinous and soot based paint the Fijians used.

Indeed an extremely important reference Tim, one I am always fasinated by. The depth of first hand exposure in the notes along with some very fine line drawings and other images makes for one of the best works I have seen to dates on Oceanic weapons from a specific region...I can't think of another that comes close.

Lee · 30th January 2012, 08:29 PM

Hi Tim - thank you for this excerpt. Please rest assured that with my indolent nature, no more of that paint has been removed beyond the tiny test spot. I suppose it is possible they might have used a shellac base or else perhaps some local vegetable substance..

14th September 2010, 07:28 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 949	Good observation Vandoo! I have a close friend who refinishes and rebuilds antique furniture who was over to the house yesterday evening, so we gave this sali a very close look. As a control, examination of my gata gave the expected result of 'unrecognized exotic wood,' but he felt that the grain and density of this sali were consistent with mahogany. He noted that the coating on the broken spur appears to overlay the adjacent finish slightly and to be slightly different and then he remarked that this coating reminded him a lot of the old failed shellac he regularly deals with. So I approached the sali this afternoon with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and found the black finish promptly dissolved. So we are dealing with some variant of old shellac.

27th January 2012, 07:46 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,890	I have only recently got a copy of "Fijian Weapons & Warfare" costly for a paperback but wow you need it. Anyway Lee this extract may just be what you need, as clearly your club is an old one and perhaps early. We have no idea what sort of resinous and soot based paint the Fijians used. Attached Images

14th September 2010, 05:39 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IN YOUR LAST PICTURE THE BLACK STUFF LOOKS LIKE THE OLD BLACK VARNISH FINISH ON SOME OLD FURNITURE IT TENDS TO CRACK UP LIKE THAT. IF YOU KNOW OF A GOOD SHOP THAT PROFESIONALLY REFINISHES ANTIQUE FURNITURE IN YOUR AREA YOU MIGHT DROP BY AND GET THEIR OPINION ON THE SUBSTANCE. IF IT IS SOMETHING THEY RECOGNIZE AND ARE SURE ABOUT THAT MAY GIVE YOU THE GO AHEAD TO REMOVE IT. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY SEEN THAT FINISH USED ON A CLUB BUT SOMEONE MAY HAVE VARNISHED IT LONG AGO TO PRESERVE IT. IT IS NOT AT ALL UNCOMMON TO FIND KRIS AND OTHER SWORDS VARNISHED BUT IS SEEN MUCH LESS WITH CLUBS. WISH I KNEW A REAL CLUB EXPERT TO RECOMEND BUT A VERY GOOD REFINISHER SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL BY LOOK AND SMELL. GOOD LUCK

30th January 2012, 08:29 PM	#5
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 949	Hi Tim - thank you for this excerpt. Please rest assured that with my indolent nature, no more of that paint has been removed beyond the tiny test spot. I suppose it is possible they might have used a shellac base or else perhaps some local vegetable substance..