snake or frigate bird

Tim Simmons · 10th May 2009, 09:04 PM

Its that man agian.

Just ebayed this staff, 50 inches tall so not a walking stick. A gamble on a small punt. To me it looks like the Solomon Islands. Looks like clam shell eyes. The sellar had in mind, snakes and barley twist, which to me is antique dealer canes and furniture. Will follow up when here.

fearn · 10th May 2009, 10:19 PM

What makes you think frigate bird? While I think the head looks lizard-ish, I'd think that it was a snake, from the rest of the staff.

David · 10th May 2009, 10:49 PM

Nice staff! Yes, my guess would also be that it's intended to be a snake given the rather serpentine body of the rest of the staff.

VANDOO · 11th May 2009, 02:42 AM

IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY THE FRIGATE BIRD HAS A HOOKED PREDATORY BEAK. SO I WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH SNAKE ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE TWISTED BODY OF THE STICK. NICE ONE.

josh stout · 11th May 2009, 04:08 PM

The marks on its head are similar to those on many cobra species.
Josh

Tim Simmons · 11th May 2009, 05:33 PM

It is not a frigate bird well certianly not as depicted on the Solomon Islands. All images I have from the Solomons have the hook. I am not saying it is not a snake. I am just exploring what we see and not taking for granted what we as westerns assume straight away. Just because the main part is a spiral does not mean it is a snake? The eye sokets could be avian? The pattern to the back of the head is interesting, could be part of the wood? As soon as I have it I will follow up. In the time being I will try to show other similar things. These pictures will do for starters. From Anthony JP Meyer "Oceanic Art" the staff is 3 inches longer than the one I hope to recieve.

10th May 2009, 09:04 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	snake or frigate bird Its that man agian. Just ebayed this staff, 50 inches tall so not a walking stick. A gamble on a small punt. To me it looks like the Solomon Islands. Looks like clam shell eyes. The sellar had in mind, snakes and barley twist, which to me is antique dealer canes and furniture. Will follow up when here. Attached Images

11th May 2009, 05:33 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	It is not a frigate bird well certianly not as depicted on the Solomon Islands. All images I have from the Solomons have the hook. I am not saying it is not a snake. I am just exploring what we see and not taking for granted what we as westerns assume straight away. Just because the main part is a spiral does not mean it is a snake? The eye sokets could be avian? The pattern to the back of the head is interesting, could be part of the wood? As soon as I have it I will follow up. In the time being I will try to show other similar things. These pictures will do for starters. From Anthony JP Meyer "Oceanic Art" the staff is 3 inches longer than the one I hope to recieve. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 11th May 2009 at 05:58 PM.

10th May 2009, 10:19 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	What makes you think frigate bird? While I think the head looks lizard-ish, I'd think that it was a snake, from the rest of the staff.

10th May 2009, 10:49 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,125	Nice staff! Yes, my guess would also be that it's intended to be a snake given the rather serpentine body of the rest of the staff.

11th May 2009, 02:42 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY THE FRIGATE BIRD HAS A HOOKED PREDATORY BEAK. SO I WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH SNAKE ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE TWISTED BODY OF THE STICK. NICE ONE.

11th May 2009, 04:08 PM	#5
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	The marks on its head are similar to those on many cobra species. Josh