ID Solomon Island?

Tim Simmons · 21st September 2018, 06:02 PM

I have four of these club like objects. The two I post here are the better ones and heavy. Had them for a long time and left them as curios in the collection. Now the thing is , I was encouraged to purchase the booklet " Power and Prestige. The Arts of Island Melanesia and the polynesian Outliers. Hurst Gallery, Cambridge Massachusetts 1996 " In this booklet a club is shown with the same general concept of form except the decoration and the square form striking end. The size is much the same, mine have seen heavy use. I think there is no denying the origin here. Funny how info turns up

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Ian · 21st September 2018, 08:35 PM

Hi Tim,

I agree completely. It is odd how one can look and look and find nothing, then something just pops up unexpectedly.

Nice looking clubs BTW. Which is the business end and which is the gripping end do you think? The picture you show from the book suggests the pointed end came into play.

Ian.

Tim Simmons · 22nd September 2018, 08:50 AM

Yes I think both ends were used. My examples are worn but you could still jab with the pointy end, a good hard jab could hurt the bone in your head.

LJ · 22nd September 2018, 08:10 PM

These set me thinking. Yes, they do look like Solomon Island artefacts and they look like clubs, but why have I never seen anything just like them. I tried searching online databases of BM, Te Papa, Tropenmuseum etc. … a blank. Nothing like them in Edge Partington's Album either. Then had a thought … what if they are pounders (e.g. for betelnut). Again a blank.

Then, I tried looking for Pestles. The BM have something very similar on their database, a pestle from Panama: I wonder if that's what these are ?

Tim Simmons · 22nd September 2018, 09:45 PM

That is interesting can you add any links or other info. I bought these at a junk market in a bag, and in that bag was a small piece of paper with type writer print saying made in Panama. I thought nothing of of it as I do not trust any notes that come with items.

Tim Simmons · 22nd September 2018, 09:54 PM

There we are. Could still made a big man cry as he hit the ground.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/researc...=pestle&page=3

Ian · 23rd September 2018, 03:28 AM

Great work LJ!

Tim Simmons · 23rd September 2018, 09:11 AM

Two in the Amnh data base.
https://anthro.amnh.org/collections

Tim Simmons · 24th January 2021, 04:55 PM

Contrary information.
https://americanindian.si.edu/collec...edan_q%3Dclubs

The museum of the American Indian suggest that it is a club weapon. Perhaps it has a dual function.

Rick · 24th January 2021, 05:43 PM

I've been to the San Blas islands; the Kuna are very interesting and nice people.
I never saw any clubs there but I did see lots of beautifully made Molas.

21st September 2018, 06:02 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	ID Solomon Island? I have four of these club like objects. The two I post here are the better ones and heavy. Had them for a long time and left them as curios in the collection. Now the thing is , I was encouraged to purchase the booklet " Power and Prestige. The Arts of Island Melanesia and the polynesian Outliers. Hurst Gallery, Cambridge Massachusetts 1996 " In this booklet a club is shown with the same general concept of form except the decoration and the square form striking end. The size is much the same, mine have seen heavy use. I think there is no denying the origin here. Funny how info turns up . Attached Images

24th January 2021, 04:55 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Contrary information. https://americanindian.si.edu/collec...edan_q%3Dclubs The museum of the American Indian suggest that it is a club weapon. Perhaps it has a dual function. Attached Images

21st September 2018, 08:35 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Hi Tim, I agree completely. It is odd how one can look and look and find nothing, then something just pops up unexpectedly. Nice looking clubs BTW. Which is the business end and which is the gripping end do you think? The picture you show from the book suggests the pointed end came into play. Ian.

22nd September 2018, 08:50 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Yes I think both ends were used. My examples are worn but you could still jab with the pointy end, a good hard jab could hurt the bone in your head.

22nd September 2018, 08:10 PM	#4
LJ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 93	These set me thinking. Yes, they do look like Solomon Island artefacts and they look like clubs, but why have I never seen anything just like them. I tried searching online databases of BM, Te Papa, Tropenmuseum etc. … a blank. Nothing like them in Edge Partington's Album either. Then had a thought … what if they are pounders (e.g. for betelnut). Again a blank. Then, I tried looking for Pestles. The BM have something very similar on their database, a pestle from Panama: I wonder if that's what these are ?

22nd September 2018, 09:45 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	That is interesting can you add any links or other info. I bought these at a junk market in a bag, and in that bag was a small piece of paper with type writer print saying made in Panama. I thought nothing of of it as I do not trust any notes that come with items.

22nd September 2018, 09:54 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	There we are. Could still made a big man cry as he hit the ground. http://www.britishmuseum.org/researc...=pestle&page=3

23rd September 2018, 03:28 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Great work LJ!

23rd September 2018, 09:11 AM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Two in the Amnh data base. https://anthro.amnh.org/collections

24th January 2021, 05:43 PM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I've been to the San Blas islands; the Kuna are very interesting and nice people. I never saw any clubs there but I did see lots of beautifully made Molas.