This item is a very old hardwood club made by the Tiwi people of Bathurst and Melville Islands. This type of club is smaller than those made in the south and there is longitudinal grooving along the entire length. The handle has a smaller diameter than the head and the grooves are much deeper on the expanded head which has remnants of white ochre paint in the grooves. It was made in the 19th Century using stone tools. This club is in very nice condition. There are very few marks from impact and no cracks. I purchased this club from the Barclay Gallery in 2001.