Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Pre-contact Maori whalebone club

Ron Anderson · 13th September 2010, 03:13 AM

I'd like to just point out one thing.

I am completely ignorant of NW American culture. There has never been much awareness from my side of the desirability of such artefacts. I come from the other side of the world. I am a South African-born New Zealander of British/Swedish heritage who lives in Australia. I have never been to America. I have spent most of my life in the southern hemisphere.

I was of the opinion this was Maori or, at least, Polynesian. But then I'm no expert in that area either.

So the fact that I've embraced the idea that this is from the NW coast of America has been based exclusively on the evidence and indications presented here.

I have never had a clue as to the monetary worth of such artefacts and was actually of the impression that Maori artefacts are worth much more. Which may or may not still be the case, for all I know.

So that's hardly been a factor at all in my estimation. The things I have noted are:

1) the form of the club is a paddle club remarkable similar to those shown from NW America.
2) The figure of the club is strikingly similar to some shown in black and white line drawings from the year dot.
3) The circles in my club also mirror circles in line drawings kindly provided by Vandoo.

These have been immensely useful bits of information, so thanks to all, including Fearn.

Sorry if my response to you Fearn was pointed. We are all entitled to opinions, or course. But I'm afraid that is all that is possible here with the level of information on offer.

My feeling is this is a good club. And as I have said earlier, I acknowledge that currently the exact age and background are still uncertain.

Regards
Ron

13th September 2010, 03:13 AM	#50
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	I'd like to just point out one thing. I am completely ignorant of NW American culture. There has never been much awareness from my side of the desirability of such artefacts. I come from the other side of the world. I am a South African-born New Zealander of British/Swedish heritage who lives in Australia. I have never been to America. I have spent most of my life in the southern hemisphere. I was of the opinion this was Maori or, at least, Polynesian. But then I'm no expert in that area either. So the fact that I've embraced the idea that this is from the NW coast of America has been based exclusively on the evidence and indications presented here. I have never had a clue as to the monetary worth of such artefacts and was actually of the impression that Maori artefacts are worth much more. Which may or may not still be the case, for all I know. So that's hardly been a factor at all in my estimation. The things I have noted are: 1) the form of the club is a paddle club remarkable similar to those shown from NW America. 2) The figure of the club is strikingly similar to some shown in black and white line drawings from the year dot. 3) The circles in my club also mirror circles in line drawings kindly provided by Vandoo. These have been immensely useful bits of information, so thanks to all, including Fearn. Sorry if my response to you Fearn was pointed. We are all entitled to opinions, or course. But I'm afraid that is all that is possible here with the level of information on offer. My feeling is this is a good club. And as I have said earlier, I acknowledge that currently the exact age and background are still uncertain. Regards Ron