Oceanic Club or Hobo Art?

Jim McDougall · 28th February 2006, 12:27 AM

I'm with VANDOO on this one!! The linear diamond geometric seems consistant with certain tattoo art from the Solomons, and in degree some associated geometrics suggest New Guinea ("Tribal Tattoo Designs" , van Dinter, Boston, 2000, p.175).
In "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" (Montague, London, 1921, p.111) in gig. 62 there is a somewhat similar club in profile, though without the multi-winged head, and in the text, the application of diamond motif is mentioned.
I'm curious about what type of hardwood that might be....Vandoo what is it?

All the best,
Jim

VANDOO · 28th February 2006, 03:10 AM

JIM THE DARK HEAVY HARDWOOD USED IS REFERED TO AS IRONWOOD, WHICH LEAVES A LOT OF POSSIBILITYS WORLDWIDE BUT I IMAGINE IS QUITE LIMITED IN TYPE ON ISLANDS. UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIES OR IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE TYPE AVAILABLE. MANY OF THE MORE RECENT CARVINGS ARE DONE IN A LIGHT SOFT WOOD AND THEN COLORED WITH BLACK SHOEPOLISH OR SOMETHING WHICH SETS OFF THE MOP. INLAYS BETTER AND IS EASY TO CARVE. SO FAR ALL THE CLUBS I HAVE SEEN ARE STILL CARVED FROM HEAVY WOOD BUT A LOT OF THE CEREMONIAL BOWLS ECT. ARE NOW DONE IN LIGHT WOODS. THE SHAPE OF THE MOP IN THE SECOND CANE IS A STANDARD ONE USED IN THE SOLOMONS ON MASKS, BOWLS, ECT.

fearn · 28th February 2006, 06:04 AM

As a botanist, my guess is that it's some species of Casuarina or Intsia, both of which are widely used "ironwoods" in the Solomons. Vandoo's right: among us plant people, the story is that there are at least 60 species of "ironwood" across the world. Most of these are some sort of legume (i.e. Intsia), in the rose family, or in the oak order (this includes Casuarina). Not that this helps much, but it's my guess.

F

28th February 2006, 12:27 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	I'm with VANDOO on this one!! The linear diamond geometric seems consistant with certain tattoo art from the Solomons, and in degree some associated geometrics suggest New Guinea ("Tribal Tattoo Designs" , van Dinter, Boston, 2000, p.175). In "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" (Montague, London, 1921, p.111) in gig. 62 there is a somewhat similar club in profile, though without the multi-winged head, and in the text, the application of diamond motif is mentioned. I'm curious about what type of hardwood that might be....Vandoo what is it? All the best, Jim

28th February 2006, 03:10 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	JIM THE DARK HEAVY HARDWOOD USED IS REFERED TO AS IRONWOOD, WHICH LEAVES A LOT OF POSSIBILITYS WORLDWIDE BUT I IMAGINE IS QUITE LIMITED IN TYPE ON ISLANDS. UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIES OR IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE TYPE AVAILABLE. MANY OF THE MORE RECENT CARVINGS ARE DONE IN A LIGHT SOFT WOOD AND THEN COLORED WITH BLACK SHOEPOLISH OR SOMETHING WHICH SETS OFF THE MOP. INLAYS BETTER AND IS EASY TO CARVE. SO FAR ALL THE CLUBS I HAVE SEEN ARE STILL CARVED FROM HEAVY WOOD BUT A LOT OF THE CEREMONIAL BOWLS ECT. ARE NOW DONE IN LIGHT WOODS. THE SHAPE OF THE MOP IN THE SECOND CANE IS A STANDARD ONE USED IN THE SOLOMONS ON MASKS, BOWLS, ECT.

28th February 2006, 06:04 AM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	As a botanist, my guess is that it's some species of Casuarina or Intsia, both of which are widely used "ironwoods" in the Solomons. Vandoo's right: among us plant people, the story is that there are at least 60 species of "ironwood" across the world. Most of these are some sort of legume (i.e. Intsia), in the rose family, or in the oak order (this includes Casuarina). Not that this helps much, but it's my guess. F