Unknown club

Freddy · 15th August 2012, 07:06 PM

It has been some time since I posted a new thread, but now I need some help.

Some time ago, I stumbled onto this piece. It's a club, that's for sure ! But where could it be from. I first thought it was native American.

When looking at the sculpted head, I see the head of a monkey. Now, I'm more inclined to think it's Indonesian. But...do they have clubs like this one ????

This piece is 38,5 cm long. The handle has some patina (I don't know if this shows on my pics). The strap is made out of cord covered in leather.

Does anyone have a clue ?

colin henshaw · 15th August 2012, 07:32 PM

Never seen anything like it. I can only offer the following comments :-

a) the wood looks like teak ? (Asia)
b) the carving has a vague South East Asian "look" (dragon/monkey etc)
c) the mouth seems as though there should be some attachment, such as
streamers or cords... (kite-flying ??)

Just a few guesses

Freddy · 16th August 2012, 08:01 AM

Thanks for the input.

It could be teak. The wood is reddish.

I don't think however that there has been a strap through the hole in the mouth. I looks more like the head is holding a ball between it's jaws.

Sajen · 16th August 2012, 04:48 PM

When I see it was my first guess also South East Asia.

Regards,

Detlef

Andrew · 16th August 2012, 05:02 PM

I can certainly understand why you would think Native North American when first seeing this, Freddy. The carving invokes images common to tribes of the Pacific NW.

However, that face sure looks like a monkey to me, especially the front view. I see a large, cleft upper lip...

15th August 2012, 07:06 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Unknown club It has been some time since I posted a new thread, but now I need some help. Some time ago, I stumbled onto this piece. It's a club, that's for sure ! But where could it be from. I first thought it was native American. When looking at the sculpted head, I see the head of a monkey. Now, I'm more inclined to think it's Indonesian. But...do they have clubs like this one ???? This piece is 38,5 cm long. The handle has some patina (I don't know if this shows on my pics). The strap is made out of cord covered in leather. Does anyone have a clue ? Attached Images

15th August 2012, 07:32 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Never seen anything like it. I can only offer the following comments :- a) the wood looks like teak ? (Asia) b) the carving has a vague South East Asian "look" (dragon/monkey etc) c) the mouth seems as though there should be some attachment, such as streamers or cords... (kite-flying ??) Just a few guesses

16th August 2012, 08:01 AM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Thanks for the input. It could be teak. The wood is reddish. I don't think however that there has been a strap through the hole in the mouth. I looks more like the head is holding a ball between it's jaws.

16th August 2012, 04:48 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	When I see it was my first guess also South East Asia. Regards, Detlef

16th August 2012, 05:02 PM	#5
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I can certainly understand why you would think Native North American when first seeing this, Freddy. The carving invokes images common to tribes of the Pacific NW. However, that face sure looks like a monkey to me, especially the front view. I see a large, cleft upper lip...