A rare 200-year-old Fijian weapon uncovered in a wardrobe is going on sale at an auction.

Found in a family home in Tonbridge the 18th century throwing club spent decades hidden away.

The weapon, known as a ula, is expected to fetch more than £600 at auction on Thursday, August 31 at Hansons Auctioneers in Tunbridge Wells.

The item was discovered by Hansons owner Charles Hanson during a routine home visit.

He said: “It’s amazing what turns up in wardrobes. From the South Pacific to Kent, this rare tribal item should sail away under the hammer.

“I predict worldwide interest from tribal art collectors with antique tribal objects being in demand.

“The 1930s wardrobe it was found in would have been worth no more than £35 but the club could sell for £600 or more.

“This example has an exceptional deep, glossy patina and significant age. It’s brittle and worn in places but that will not deter bidders.”

The seller had been left baffled by the weapon which had been found in his father’s wardrobe.

The 66-year-old retired NHS clinical coder said:“I have no idea how my dad obtained it.”

“I remember seeing it many years ago but only really looked at it when clearing his house in Bromley after his death in 2015 at the age of 99.

“He was in the Navy for a few years but as far as I know he never traveled to the South Pacific.

“The wardrobe was sold on but we removed its contents first. I was quite surprised by the valuation.

“Since 2015 I’ve just kept it on a shelf in my spare bedroom. I always thought it was old and interesting and asked family and friends what they thought it was but nobody really knew.

“I have been decorating the spare room and thought it was time to find it a home where it will be appreciated.”

The weapon was carved from the roots of ironwood saplings and has a large, fluted petal-like head with five nodes around a central node which gives it a “sculptural quality”.

On the handle, it is carved with parallel zig-zag lines known as “tava tava” to allow better grip.

Such weapons were thrown with great speed by Fijian warriors.

Charles said early European sailors who reached Fiji would have known the ulas “all too well” with some being “unfortunate enough to have the clubs hurled at them.”

He said: “Today original tribal weapons like this are popular due to their historical significance and craftsmanship.

“Often clubs were carved with nicks or notches to demonstrate a tally of kills. Another common method was to inlay a tooth from each victim in the club’s head. Thankfully we didn’t see any of those.

“It’s amazing what we uncover in wardrobes, garages, attics or even kitchen cupboards. I’m so pleased the vendor kept it, despite not knowing what it was.

“Valuable items like this can easily get thrown away by families dealing with the pressure and emotion of clearing a house. It’s so hard to decide what to keep when sorting through a lifetime of accumulated personal treasures.”