N American? Africa? weapon?

Tim Simmons · 26th May 2016, 09:28 AM

Just picked this interesting item. Sold as an African fly switch. However at 80cm long the wood end is quite substantial. I think enough so to work as a hammer club or even a pick. It is also not very ergonomic in form to be a fly switch in my eyes. Something about it seems not African to me. I searched AMNH database N America and Africa , still have hopes of America. I need to see it against other objects to get a better understanding of size and weight.

Pieje · 26th May 2016, 10:07 AM

I collect African weapons and ethnographica, but I have to admit that I've never seen something similar...it looks like a fly whisk, but very unusual.

Shakethetrees · 26th May 2016, 03:05 PM

Perhaps a fly which with a symbolic or talismanic adz below the grip for someone of rank?

I've never seen such a piece.

I don't think it's American, but African, Asian or maybe elsewhere.

Pukka Bundook · 26th May 2016, 03:41 PM

Tim,

It says African to me, but have never seen one like it!

Hope you can find something similar for comparison.

Best,
Richard.

colin henshaw · 26th May 2016, 03:44 PM

Probably an African fly-whisk. The handle is very unusual, maybe a re-used staff top of some sort ?

I've sometimes seen Pacific fly-whisks with handles adopted from other objects, such as the turned and polished leg of a European chair, but the whisk part is normally made of sennit or feathers.

drac2k · 26th May 2016, 04:36 PM

Possibly African is my guess; maybe a combination kitchen tool.It could be used to lift a pot off of a fire, that has a hot handle and where better to have a whisk to swat hungry flies than in an open kitchen.

Tim Simmons · 26th May 2016, 04:56 PM

Yes could be. The wood handle is quite large. It will be here soon. If it s too light to be a possible weapon then it should be move from this site section. In the time being if you search the American Museum of Natural History database for all words one can associate with the item in N America and Africa it gets less certain what is what. How about a horse tail spinkler with hook tool for a sweat lodge????

Kubur · 26th May 2016, 07:04 PM

I think at a propulseur, from where I don't know...

Tim Simmons · 26th May 2016, 07:24 PM

Good thinking Batman.

should be here Tuesday.

26th May 2016, 09:28 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	N American? Africa? weapon? Just picked this interesting item. Sold as an African fly switch. However at 80cm long the wood end is quite substantial. I think enough so to work as a hammer club or even a pick. It is also not very ergonomic in form to be a fly switch in my eyes. Something about it seems not African to me. I searched AMNH database N America and Africa , still have hopes of America. I need to see it against other objects to get a better understanding of size and weight. Attached Images

26th May 2016, 07:04 PM	#8
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I think at a propulseur, from where I don't know... Attached Images

26th May 2016, 10:07 AM	#2
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	I collect African weapons and ethnographica, but I have to admit that I've never seen something similar...it looks like a fly whisk, but very unusual.

26th May 2016, 03:05 PM	#3
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	Perhaps a fly which with a symbolic or talismanic adz below the grip for someone of rank? I've never seen such a piece. I don't think it's American, but African, Asian or maybe elsewhere.

26th May 2016, 03:41 PM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Tim, It says African to me, but have never seen one like it! Hope you can find something similar for comparison. Best, Richard.

26th May 2016, 03:44 PM	#5
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Probably an African fly-whisk. The handle is very unusual, maybe a re-used staff top of some sort ? I've sometimes seen Pacific fly-whisks with handles adopted from other objects, such as the turned and polished leg of a European chair, but the whisk part is normally made of sennit or feathers.

26th May 2016, 04:36 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	Possibly African is my guess; maybe a combination kitchen tool.It could be used to lift a pot off of a fire, that has a hot handle and where better to have a whisk to swat hungry flies than in an open kitchen.

26th May 2016, 04:56 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Yes could be. The wood handle is quite large. It will be here soon. If it s too light to be a possible weapon then it should be move from this site section. In the time being if you search the American Museum of Natural History database for all words one can associate with the item in N America and Africa it gets less certain what is what. How about a horse tail spinkler with hook tool for a sweat lodge????

26th May 2016, 07:24 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Good thinking Batman. should be here Tuesday.