Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


83 - Xhosa or Zulu Wooden Club, Early to Mid 20th Century

The offset head of this club appears to have been formed of a root ball with a broad collar around where the branch forming the handle emerges, with accentuation of the grain. The head is scuffed and with several cracks, a few moderately wide, and natural grain defects. Though well smoothed by time and use, there are obvious remains of the origins of small twig-like branches. Several lengthwise cracks are seen along the entire length of one side of the handle. This club measures just under 30 inches (76 cm) in length and weighs about 16¼ ounces (472 grams). Lew dated it as circa 1930 to 1940.




Return to item index page