Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Mark · 27th November 2006, 02:20 AM

I would add a further dimension to the meaning of "wall-hanger," namely that it is a decorative weapon/item out of its cultural context. By that I mean that it is a facsimile of some sort of an actual or imagined "real" weapon, made for decorative purposes where such decorative purposes are not part of its cultural context.

Many cultures made non-functional display weapons (various West African tribes come to mind, and such things as the enormous "bearing swords" in Europe). I would not call these "wall-hangers," because being decorative is their proper cultural context and use.

The term is definately vernacular. You won't see it in any treatise or museum display.

27th November 2006, 02:20 AM	#10
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I would add a further dimension to the meaning of "wall-hanger," namely that it is a decorative weapon/item out of its cultural context. By that I mean that it is a facsimile of some sort of an actual or imagined "real" weapon, made for decorative purposes where such decorative purposes are not part of its cultural context. Many cultures made non-functional display weapons (various West African tribes come to mind, and such things as the enormous "bearing swords" in Europe). I would not call these "wall-hangers," because being decorative is their proper cultural context and use. The term is definately vernacular. You won't see it in any treatise or museum display.