Australian Decorated Leangle Club

kronckew · 28th June 2015, 08:57 PM

just ended the adoption process on this one via ebay

coming to live with me soon. Measures approx 48 cm long x 20 cm wide, Total unpacked weight 430 grams. listed as possibly early 20th c.

looks similar to others i saw googling, but decorated. would appreciate any comments on it. thanks.

VANDOO · 29th June 2015, 06:32 PM

I WATCHED THIS BUT DID NOT BID. I THINK THE SELLERS INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AND IT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CLUBS FROM THE PERIOD. OFTEN MORE NON TRADITIONAL DECORATION WAS ADDED DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE VARIOUS MISSONARY MISSIONS SET UP TO CONVERT AND SAVE THE ABORIGINALS DURING THE TIME. IT LOOKS TO HAVE A FAIR PATINA AND NATURAL PLANT STAINS, AND IS PLEASING TO LOOK AT AND WAVE AROUND

kronckew · 30th June 2015, 02:59 PM

club was teleported to me via post office & arrived a few minutes ago.. postie was careful to ensure it did not arrive before the seller mailed it.

essentially as above, so nothing much new to add from here. except it IS fun to wave about & the grip & blade x-section is quite oval, tip has a fair edge tho worn a bit...no shrinkage cracks, tg.

Roland_M · 30th June 2015, 06:20 PM

I think this is a Watilikiri or beaked boomerang.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...ikiri-Club.jpg

Only in german Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watilikiri

See also the scan.

Kind regards, Roland

Ian · 30th June 2015, 07:01 PM

Wayne:

I think Roland is correct. This is a heavy throwing stick designed to bring down large game or people. They are sometimes called "non-returning boomerangs," to distinguish them from the more common returning variety. The Australian indigenous people throw these horizontally and a blow from one of these heavy ones can bring down a kangaroo (or man) quite easily. Although spears were preferred for warfare, they did use these heavy throwing sticks in conflicts with each other, and they did use clubs which tended to be a straight piece of hardwood and many had sharp stones imbedded in them.

Ian

kronckew · 30th June 2015, 07:27 PM

thanks, i suspected it would make a good thrower when i was waving it about.

i've been looking for a good non-returning boomerrang. would make a fair club too.

28th June 2015, 08:57 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	Australian Decorated Leangle Club just ended the adoption process on this one via ebay coming to live with me soon. Measures approx 48 cm long x 20 cm wide, Total unpacked weight 430 grams. listed as possibly early 20th c. looks similar to others i saw googling, but decorated. would appreciate any comments on it. thanks. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 28th June 2015 at 09:08 PM.

30th June 2015, 06:20 PM	#4
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	I think this is a Watilikiri or beaked boomerang. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...ikiri-Club.jpg Only in german Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watilikiri See also the scan. Kind regards, Roland Attached Images

29th June 2015, 06:32 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I WATCHED THIS BUT DID NOT BID. I THINK THE SELLERS INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AND IT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CLUBS FROM THE PERIOD. OFTEN MORE NON TRADITIONAL DECORATION WAS ADDED DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE VARIOUS MISSONARY MISSIONS SET UP TO CONVERT AND SAVE THE ABORIGINALS DURING THE TIME. IT LOOKS TO HAVE A FAIR PATINA AND NATURAL PLANT STAINS, AND IS PLEASING TO LOOK AT AND WAVE AROUND

30th June 2015, 02:59 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	club was teleported to me via post office & arrived a few minutes ago.. postie was careful to ensure it did not arrive before the seller mailed it. essentially as above, so nothing much new to add from here. except it IS fun to wave about & the grip & blade x-section is quite oval, tip has a fair edge tho worn a bit...no shrinkage cracks, tg.

30th June 2015, 07:01 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Wayne: I think Roland is correct. This is a heavy throwing stick designed to bring down large game or people. They are sometimes called "non-returning boomerangs," to distinguish them from the more common returning variety. The Australian indigenous people throw these horizontally and a blow from one of these heavy ones can bring down a kangaroo (or man) quite easily. Although spears were preferred for warfare, they did use these heavy throwing sticks in conflicts with each other, and they did use clubs which tended to be a straight piece of hardwood and many had sharp stones imbedded in them. Ian

30th June 2015, 07:27 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	thanks, i suspected it would make a good thrower when i was waving it about. i've been looking for a good non-returning boomerrang. would make a fair club too.