Palm wood sword club....origins please ??
 

A Palm wood sword club, 40" (102 cms) long. Signs of use and age, 'double edged' with pommel and hilt 'detail' . PNG ?

Grateful for any comments or information :)

Kind Regards David

It is classic PBG in my opinion but I can not be any more helpful than that.

Hello David, your club is a fighting sword from the South Massim
(North Massim use ebony for the same type sword often engraved with SSS and broad end) in North East New Guinea.
The grip end is hence in a rough shape of a fregatbirds head (you've got to know it to reckognize). Good old used example; 1900's or so to my opinion. Hope it helped. Greets Wouter

Thank you Gav and Wouter for the quick replies :) . A quick search using the information you provided, helped me find some examples in an ethnographic collection :cool: I would like to believe this is quite old, certainly has a hard, glossy patina but not certain as to the colour changes as Palm wood ages.

Kind Regards
David

Pictures below. The blunt ended one is New Guinea (purchased 1891-1893), the one with carved designs is also from N.G the plainer, pointed one is attributed to the Torres Strait.

Nice one David. I did have an eye on that one. I have a very nice example with the same narrowing tip. They are not all like that so even in the Massim region there are local versions. The Trobriand Islands were well known for there export trade in woodwork of all kinds. Much information can be found in the "Art of Kula" People must have made versions as and when needed. My example is 32.5 inches long and made of "iron wood" or "she oak" 750g.
I have just finish a very interesting book which is quite cheap from amazon "The White Headhunter" Although concerned with the Solomon Islands and the New Hebrides, the book gives a very good insight into the end of traditional warfare and weapons from the late 19th century to the first decades of the 20th century. It is also interesting that "slavery" was ended in the British empire 1830 something, but the near to slave raiding or "Black birding" continued into the 20th century. They did get paid and some isladers did do well from service not all by a long chalk. Returned to the wrong area after service and you could well end up in the oven. This is one of my best loved pieces.

David,

You do realize we have to have ourselves a duel now, right? ;)

Measures about 93 cm...

Hi Tim,
nice piece and thank you for the 'background' information :cool: I have seen a number of your type of club described as a dance club ....do you know whether the 'sword' type had a dance version or where they exclusively a weapon ?


Are you sure you want to Chris.....after all mines BIGGER than yours :p :D
Have you any idea as to the age of your example ?


Kind Regards David

Yes, sadly a decade of marriage has that effect... ;)

As far as the age of the club is concerned, I honestly have no clue... I would guess turn of the century - maybe earlier - though this is more a "best-guesstimate" than an estimate. :shrug:

It was one of two I acquired a few months ago. The other was a large, spatulate sword club from the Trobriand Is. that is very similar to one Gav had last year...

Cheers,

Chris

Thanks Chris, sorry for the late reply. Unfortunately palm wood items are not common in the UK and I have not seen old, provenanced items that I can use to compare/gauge the age, with the sword club.But, I am fairly confident that mine is probably late 19th / early 20th.

All the best
David