Root ball knobkerrie from a Zulu collection...or is it ?

Atlantia · 16th June 2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Thank you Colin and Tim for your comments

In searching for the images of the alleged Zulu knobkerries that were 'hand carved' I came across this from Fagan Arms......

NGUNI KNOBKERRY

Southeast Africa. 19 1/4 length. The head incorporating the root cluster and finely carved in the shape of a rhino horn base...... A distinct step separates the head from the haft which is a polished natural stem including its shoot nubs, forming a fascinating juxtaposition with the meticulously shaped head. Excellent with fine patina. The Nguni occupied territory south of the Zulu and adopted Shakas cultural and military practices to conquer and assimilate their neighbors in the 19th century migrations known as mfecane. Zulu artifacts owe their survival to English occupation but 19th century Nguni weapons are rarely encountered.

Picture below.............does seem very similar...although mine is darker, the grain patterning is also comparable.

Hi David,

That's rather similar to the one I have .
There are similar examples also on the Bay too. The interesting thing for me is the wood. It reminds me of bur walnut.
They all also seem to have that distinctive step.

Best
Gene

tom hyle · 18th June 2011, 11:53 AM

For some reason I too thought of shilela, which, BTW should also be made of roots, and thus, AFAIK, have no thorns. Root wood is known for being tougher. I don't doubt people make shilleghlas out of blackthorn shaft rather than root, but it's improper/untraditional according to my reading.
In a further demonstration of the essential "Western"ness of African culture, shillela and knob kerrie seem to be pretty much similar items, and both are sometimes shaped by attaching iron bands to a growing root and growing the knob around them. Main difference other than local wood seems to be size of knob being more often greater on African pieces, but I've seen some pretty big shilleghla heads, too.
Contrast to American Indian clubs of similar shape, BTW, seems to me to be in the narrow flexible, even whippy shaft, while the American ones tend to be more thick and stiff.

katana · 19th June 2011, 05:33 PM

I have contacted the seller with reference to the provenance. The seller is a retired Antique dealer of some 25 years. He has assured me that the knobkerrie was part of an South African collection from a country house and that it was ID'd by a individual (name supplied) whom was...." ex Military Police - South African Defence force and social historian. "
I have requested some form of written provenance ...but it now seems certain to be South African ...and likely Nguni. As I cannot find any similar shaped knobkerries attributed to the Zulu or Shona

The wood was described as 'stink oak' .....the nearest I can find is 'stinkwood' which is a known SA knobkerrie wood.

All the Best
David

18th June 2011, 11:53 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	For some reason I too thought of shilela, which, BTW should also be made of roots, and thus, AFAIK, have no thorns. Root wood is known for being tougher. I don't doubt people make shilleghlas out of blackthorn shaft rather than root, but it's improper/untraditional according to my reading. In a further demonstration of the essential "Western"ness of African culture, shillela and knob kerrie seem to be pretty much similar items, and both are sometimes shaped by attaching iron bands to a growing root and growing the knob around them. Main difference other than local wood seems to be size of knob being more often greater on African pieces, but I've seen some pretty big shilleghla heads, too. Contrast to American Indian clubs of similar shape, BTW, seems to me to be in the narrow flexible, even whippy shaft, while the American ones tend to be more thick and stiff.

19th June 2011, 05:33 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I have contacted the seller with reference to the provenance. The seller is a retired Antique dealer of some 25 years. He has assured me that the knobkerrie was part of an South African collection from a country house and that it was ID'd by a individual (name supplied) whom was...." ex Military Police - South African Defence force and social historian. " I have requested some form of written provenance ...but it now seems certain to be South African ...and likely Nguni. As I cannot find any similar shaped knobkerries attributed to the Zulu or Shona The wood was described as 'stink oak' .....the nearest I can find is 'stinkwood' which is a known SA knobkerrie wood. All the Best David