Club quiz

RSWORD · 20th October 2018, 10:39 PM

Looking for opinions about the origins of this club. I have some thoughts but want feedback first. I think it is a pretty old club. Has a four sided head and the handle has that uneven surface from being chip carved. Patina is quite nice. Has that chocolate glossy brown color. Thanks for the additional insights.

Tim Simmons · 21st October 2018, 09:33 PM

To me although the shape is unusual (if I am on the right track) I feel this maybe African. There is something about the triangle decoration that makes me think of Chokwe club decoration.

RSWORD · 23rd October 2018, 02:22 AM

Thank you for the feedback Tim. It seems quite unique for Africa but I wouldn’t rule out that possibility given how little information is out there on African clubs. Could you share some Chokwe decorative motif that are similar?

colin henshaw · 4th November 2018, 12:04 PM

What is the length of the piece ? I wonder if it could be a tool for making barkcloth or similar ? Such items were used in both Central Africa and Oceania.

colin henshaw · 4th November 2018, 10:17 PM

Looking through the Oldman Catalogue, I see they illustrate (very small images) Chokwe clubs with square section heads. So this certainly could be a possible attribution. The wood colour and incised decoration are also correct for Chokwe work.

20th October 2018, 10:39 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Club quiz Looking for opinions about the origins of this club. I have some thoughts but want feedback first. I think it is a pretty old club. Has a four sided head and the handle has that uneven surface from being chip carved. Patina is quite nice. Has that chocolate glossy brown color. Thanks for the additional insights. Attached Images

21st October 2018, 09:33 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	To me although the shape is unusual (if I am on the right track) I feel this maybe African. There is something about the triangle decoration that makes me think of Chokwe club decoration.

23rd October 2018, 02:22 AM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Thank you for the feedback Tim. It seems quite unique for Africa but I wouldn’t rule out that possibility given how little information is out there on African clubs. Could you share some Chokwe decorative motif that are similar?

4th November 2018, 12:04 PM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	What is the length of the piece ? I wonder if it could be a tool for making barkcloth or similar ? Such items were used in both Central Africa and Oceania.

4th November 2018, 10:17 PM	#5
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Looking through the Oldman Catalogue, I see they illustrate (very small images) Chokwe clubs with square section heads. So this certainly could be a possible attribution. The wood colour and incised decoration are also correct for Chokwe work.