Zulu Commanders stick of office

Kmaddock · 8th November 2022, 12:43 PM

Thanks Kronckew,
I have looked back and seen some of your examples on previous threads, v v nice.
Would you have any opinion on the age of my stick?

Regards,
Ken

Tim Simmons · 8th November 2022, 03:37 PM

I have a few sticks from Southern Africa. One is certainly Zulu, the others come other parts now countries like Zambia. The longest one , the dark ball head with the very simplified face is 57cm , 30.5 inches , which is short for a walking stick although it has had contact with the ground. Now what is a baton of office or a walking stick? How long is a swagger stick? A swagger stick made for colonial soldiers or native levies. The four shortest examples are surely batons 52cm long except the ivory and horn piece being 46cm long. I think the ivory hooked example may well be a symbol of some status as it is too short for a walking stick and also the wrong weight and form for a swagger stick. Held at the carved section feels right much like a Recade from West Africa. If I see them I get them {if I have the funds}

Kmaddock · 9th November 2022, 01:06 PM

Similar one in National army museum

https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1963-08-1-1

with following description

Walking stick owned by King Cetshwayo of Zululand, 1879 (c)
Cetshwayo was King of Zululand, a territory bordering Natal and the Transvaal. In 1878 he refused to disband his Zulu army or to cooperate with Sir Bartle Frere's plan for imperial federation in South Africa. In January 1879 a force commanded by Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford invaded Zululand. Cetshwayo's army resisted bravely, but the king became a fugitive after the Battle of Ulundi (4 July 1879). He was taken prisoner in August. Deprived of his kingdom he was sent into exile at Cape Town. This stick was taken from the king after his defeat and brought back to Britain by a Colonel Bell.

The stick is carved with two snakes coiled around the shank. It is a typical example of the staffs carried by men of high status; the snake was a common symbol representing the protection of the ancestral spirits.

NAM Accession Number
NAM. 1963-08-1-1

Copyright/Ownership
National Army Museum Copyright

Ian · 11th November 2022, 03:27 AM

Since we are not dealing with a weapon, this one really belongs in the Ethnographic Miscellania area.

Ian · 11th November 2022, 03:31 AM

Ken, would you mind posting a full length picture of your staff? Nice example.

Kmaddock · 18th November 2022, 09:20 AM

Full length picture of My staff
Probably my favourite piece from this years collecting.........so far ;-)
Regards
Ken

kronckew · 18th November 2022, 10:07 AM

My small headed iwisa:

8th November 2022, 03:37 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	I have a few sticks from Southern Africa. One is certainly Zulu, the others come other parts now countries like Zambia. The longest one , the dark ball head with the very simplified face is 57cm , 30.5 inches , which is short for a walking stick although it has had contact with the ground. Now what is a baton of office or a walking stick? How long is a swagger stick? A swagger stick made for colonial soldiers or native levies. The four shortest examples are surely batons 52cm long except the ivory and horn piece being 46cm long. I think the ivory hooked example may well be a symbol of some status as it is too short for a walking stick and also the wrong weight and form for a swagger stick. Held at the carved section feels right much like a Recade from West Africa. If I see them I get them {if I have the funds} Attached Images

9th November 2022, 01:06 PM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Similar one in National army museum https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1963-08-1-1 with following description Walking stick owned by King Cetshwayo of Zululand, 1879 (c) Cetshwayo was King of Zululand, a territory bordering Natal and the Transvaal. In 1878 he refused to disband his Zulu army or to cooperate with Sir Bartle Frere's plan for imperial federation in South Africa. In January 1879 a force commanded by Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford invaded Zululand. Cetshwayo's army resisted bravely, but the king became a fugitive after the Battle of Ulundi (4 July 1879). He was taken prisoner in August. Deprived of his kingdom he was sent into exile at Cape Town. This stick was taken from the king after his defeat and brought back to Britain by a Colonel Bell. The stick is carved with two snakes coiled around the shank. It is a typical example of the staffs carried by men of high status; the snake was a common symbol representing the protection of the ancestral spirits. NAM Accession Number NAM. 1963-08-1-1 Copyright/Ownership National Army Museum Copyright Attached Images

11th November 2022, 03:27 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Moved ... Since we are not dealing with a weapon, this one really belongs in the Ethnographic Miscellania area.

18th November 2022, 09:20 AM	#6
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Full length picture of My staff Probably my favourite piece from this years collecting.........so far ;-) Regards Ken Attached Images

18th November 2022, 10:07 AM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	My small headed iwisa: Attached Images

8th November 2022, 12:43 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thanks Kronckew, I have looked back and seen some of your examples on previous threads, v v nice. Would you have any opinion on the age of my stick? Regards, Ken

11th November 2022, 03:31 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Ken, would you mind posting a full length picture of your staff? Nice example.