An even bigger sucker when it comes to African clubs

kronckew · 19th November 2007, 10:56 AM

similar mace shapes are noted from poland thru the middle east into africa in bronze and stone in pre-history and in wood, iron and steel up to modern times.
i've even seen one made of stone in the aztec/mayan areas of central america.

parallel evolution? form following function? cultural drift? trade? all in all that 'gear' shape and variations makes a wickedly efficient weapon against not only unarmoured but armoured opponents for little expenditure in materials and can be made by relatively unskilled local crafters.

still like freddy's weapon tho. i would have bought it if i''d seen it....

here's an interesting site on maces

Freddy · 20th November 2007, 05:54 PM

By the way, nice site, Kronckew.

This morning this piece arrived from Germany. It's made out of one piece of heavy hardwood. I bought it as 'African', but I'm not sure. The handle is much shorter then the other clubs I have in my collection.

Nice feature is the carved decoration on the head.

Total length : 42 cm

Has anyone a suggestion ?

Freddy · 26th November 2007, 07:59 AM

I did some research on the internet and now I'm sure that the second piece I showed is not an African club. It probably comes from somewhere in the South Sea (Fiji ?).
I think it's a throwing club, called 'ULA'. Has anyone a better idea ?

- - -

The clubs keep coming lately. This third one, I found on ebay. It was offered twice and nobody seemed to be interested.

http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAPI...m=280170045540

It wasn't expensive, so I bought it.

When I received it last week, I was happily surprised with the piece. It's beautiful. Again, I think of an African origin. Mainly due to the fact that brass nails were used to embellish it. The small blade on top is well forged.
This club has a good weight to it. At the bottom, a metal ferrule has been added to prevent the wood from splitting.
Total length : 62 cm. Length of knife blade : 10 cm.

Any comments ?

Tim Simmons · 26th November 2007, 09:05 AM

Well done Freddy. I watched that club both times, why did I not have a go at it

I have something comming I think you will like, sadly it was not that cheap but worth the money so untill it arrives.

20th November 2007, 05:54 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I told you I was a sucker for clubs By the way, nice site, Kronckew. This morning this piece arrived from Germany. It's made out of one piece of heavy hardwood. I bought it as 'African', but I'm not sure. The handle is much shorter then the other clubs I have in my collection. Nice feature is the carved decoration on the head. Total length : 42 cm Has anyone a suggestion ?

19th November 2007, 10:56 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	similar mace shapes are noted from poland thru the middle east into africa in bronze and stone in pre-history and in wood, iron and steel up to modern times. i've even seen one made of stone in the aztec/mayan areas of central america. parallel evolution? form following function? cultural drift? trade? all in all that 'gear' shape and variations makes a wickedly efficient weapon against not only unarmoured but armoured opponents for little expenditure in materials and can be made by relatively unskilled local crafters. still like freddy's weapon tho. i would have bought it if i''d seen it.... here's an interesting site on maces

26th November 2007, 07:59 AM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I did some research on the internet and now I'm sure that the second piece I showed is not an African club. It probably comes from somewhere in the South Sea (Fiji ?). I think it's a throwing club, called 'ULA'. Has anyone a better idea ? - - - The clubs keep coming lately. This third one, I found on ebay. It was offered twice and nobody seemed to be interested. http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAPI...m=280170045540 It wasn't expensive, so I bought it. When I received it last week, I was happily surprised with the piece. It's beautiful. Again, I think of an African origin. Mainly due to the fact that brass nails were used to embellish it. The small blade on top is well forged. This club has a good weight to it. At the bottom, a metal ferrule has been added to prevent the wood from splitting. Total length : 62 cm. Length of knife blade : 10 cm. Any comments ?

26th November 2007, 09:05 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Well done Freddy. I watched that club both times, why did I not have a go at it I have something comming I think you will like, sadly it was not that cheap but worth the money so untill it arrives.