Anthropomorphic Knobkerrie

Tim Simmons · 30th March 2008, 05:54 PM

This is one of my most favourite things at the moment. Got it last week at considerable cost to my collection of blades but it is worth it to my mind anyway. I just think it is so clever, simply beautiful. I love the hair on the head. Is it male or female? The suggestion of a torso and arms so minimal yet so clear.

Lew · 30th March 2008, 08:03 PM

Very nice Tim

. I'm sure that cost you quite a load of fish and chips.

Lew

Freddy · 31st March 2008, 11:19 AM

Very, very nice, Tim. I really like the patina on this piece. Did the seller give you an origin ? I'm not sure, but I would think it's from Swaziland.
I hope it didn't cost you too many 'blades'.

Some years ago, I bought a collection of African clubs on ebay. These were sold as 'drumsticks'.

So you can guess that I didn't have to pay a lot.

Here's one which has, to my opinion, an animal form. When I look at this piece, I see an animal's head (monkey ?). The maker just used the shape of this piece of wood to create this head and upper body.

I showed this club to other collectors and they think it's Gogo from Tansania.

Freddy · 31st March 2008, 11:28 AM

Here's another one, again Gogo.

I wonder if these 'more decorated' piece were really used or were just for showing off ?

katana · 31st March 2008, 01:44 PM

Hi Tim,
very nice....but, I just see a stylised lion head

The 'face' is quite 'elongated'.

Regards David

.

Tim Simmons · 31st March 2008, 08:02 PM

Hello David, I can see your thinking. The basic form although not seen that often is not truly rare. I have to say I do see this as anthropomorphic when one considers the residual arms and braided African hairstyles. This Knobkerrie may well be from many people even quite far North. This picture of hair styles is alone the lines of my thinking. I am sure people further south had varied hairstyles. I could well be wrong

.

30th March 2008, 05:54 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Anthropomorphic Knobkerrie This is one of my most favourite things at the moment. Got it last week at considerable cost to my collection of blades but it is worth it to my mind anyway. I just think it is so clever, simply beautiful. I love the hair on the head. Is it male or female? The suggestion of a torso and arms so minimal yet so clear. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 30th March 2008 at 06:54 PM.

31st March 2008, 11:28 AM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	another one Here's another one, again Gogo. I wonder if these 'more decorated' piece were really used or were just for showing off ?

31st March 2008, 01:44 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Tim, very nice....but, I just see a stylised lion head The 'face' is quite 'elongated'. Regards David . Attached Images

31st March 2008, 08:02 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Hello David, I can see your thinking. The basic form although not seen that often is not truly rare. I have to say I do see this as anthropomorphic when one considers the residual arms and braided African hairstyles. This Knobkerrie may well be from many people even quite far North. This picture of hair styles is alone the lines of my thinking. I am sure people further south had varied hairstyles. I could well be wrong . Attached Images

30th March 2008, 08:03 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Very nice Tim . I'm sure that cost you quite a load of fish and chips. Lew

31st March 2008, 11:19 AM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Very, very nice, Tim. I really like the patina on this piece. Did the seller give you an origin ? I'm not sure, but I would think it's from Swaziland. I hope it didn't cost you too many 'blades'. Some years ago, I bought a collection of African clubs on ebay. These were sold as 'drumsticks'. So you can guess that I didn't have to pay a lot. Here's one which has, to my opinion, an animal form. When I look at this piece, I see an animal's head (monkey ?). The maker just used the shape of this piece of wood to create this head and upper body. I showed this club to other collectors and they think it's Gogo from Tansania.