Malaita Island baton.

Tim Simmons · 11th May 2015, 09:08 AM

This is my latest find, has taken a long time to acquire. I find it interesting how practically all cultures use the baton as a symbol of status or power. In this case it is a psychological weapon of violence and power. It is also a form of jewelry like medals. Worn hanging from the back of the neck between the shoulder blades. These links say more than I an able to type. They do offer similar but differing information. The first picture should be my new item. The other is taken from the Horniman collection.

http://catalogue.anthropologymuseum.uq.edu.au/item/4583
http://www.culturegrid.org.uk/search/6008744.html
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20157/lot/76/
https://www.artsy.net/artwork/baton-...remonial-baton

Tim Simmons · 13th May 2015, 11:00 PM

In the British Museum fouye. Baton.

Battara · 14th May 2015, 02:42 AM

These look more like septers or maces.

VANDOO · 17th May 2015, 06:53 AM

THESE SCEPTERS ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE AND SERVE AS A SYMBOL OF RANK, PRESTIGE AND POWER. THE ONES I HAVE SEEN WOULD MAKE A POOR WEAPON. THESE SCEPTERS AND SOME WALKING STICKS HAVE THE MOST SHELL INLAY OF ALL THE OBJECTS I HAVE SEEN FROM THE SOLOMON'S. UNFORTUNATELY I KNOW LITTLE OF THEIR HISTORY OR THE TIME PERIOD OF THEIR ORIGIN IN THE PRESENT FORM. THEY ARE NICE TO LOOK AT AND TO HOLD

Tim Simmons · 21st May 2015, 11:21 AM

At last I have it. It has to be the most exquisite piece in the collection. I admire to use of two tone of shell in the haft. The ball end is weighted I cannot tell if it is solid wood or not but I suspect it is a small pierced stone covered with parrinarium nut paste set with shell. It is the size as the examples shown in the links. Although worn hanging between the shoulder blades by Lamo {big men warriors} that do the necessary or desired killing to keep the status quo. It is a symbolic weapon. What pleased me the most is, unlike many of the old clubs with a good patina this piece does not show any metal tool marks.

Another link
http://www.artvalue.com/auctionresul...on-1891287.htm

However metal tool marks should not put a collector off as metal is always eagerly sought after from the earliest western contact.

VANDOO · 21st May 2015, 06:53 PM

CONGRATULATIONS A VERY ELEGANT SCEPTER AND EVERYTHING IS INTACT WHICH IS UNUSUAL FOR THAT MUCH INLAY ON A OBJECT OF THAT AGE. AND I TRUST YOU GOT IT FOR MUCH LESS THAN THE SOUTHBYS ESTIMATE ON YOUR LINK. GOOD FOR YOU

11th May 2015, 09:08 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Malaita Island baton. This is my latest find, has taken a long time to acquire. I find it interesting how practically all cultures use the baton as a symbol of status or power. In this case it is a psychological weapon of violence and power. It is also a form of jewelry like medals. Worn hanging from the back of the neck between the shoulder blades. These links say more than I an able to type. They do offer similar but differing information. The first picture should be my new item. The other is taken from the Horniman collection. http://catalogue.anthropologymuseum.uq.edu.au/item/4583 http://www.culturegrid.org.uk/search/6008744.html https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20157/lot/76/ https://www.artsy.net/artwork/baton-...remonial-baton Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 11th May 2015 at 07:25 PM. Reason: Adding another link

13th May 2015, 11:00 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	In the British Museum fouye. Baton. Attached Images

21st May 2015, 11:21 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	At last I have it. It has to be the most exquisite piece in the collection. I admire to use of two tone of shell in the haft. The ball end is weighted I cannot tell if it is solid wood or not but I suspect it is a small pierced stone covered with parrinarium nut paste set with shell. It is the size as the examples shown in the links. Although worn hanging between the shoulder blades by Lamo {big men warriors} that do the necessary or desired killing to keep the status quo. It is a symbolic weapon. What pleased me the most is, unlike many of the old clubs with a good patina this piece does not show any metal tool marks. Another link http://www.artvalue.com/auctionresul...on-1891287.htm However metal tool marks should not put a collector off as metal is always eagerly sought after from the earliest western contact. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 21st May 2015 at 02:36 PM.

14th May 2015, 02:42 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	These look more like septers or maces.

17th May 2015, 06:53 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THESE SCEPTERS ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE AND SERVE AS A SYMBOL OF RANK, PRESTIGE AND POWER. THE ONES I HAVE SEEN WOULD MAKE A POOR WEAPON. THESE SCEPTERS AND SOME WALKING STICKS HAVE THE MOST SHELL INLAY OF ALL THE OBJECTS I HAVE SEEN FROM THE SOLOMON'S. UNFORTUNATELY I KNOW LITTLE OF THEIR HISTORY OR THE TIME PERIOD OF THEIR ORIGIN IN THE PRESENT FORM. THEY ARE NICE TO LOOK AT AND TO HOLD

21st May 2015, 06:53 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRATULATIONS A VERY ELEGANT SCEPTER AND EVERYTHING IS INTACT WHICH IS UNUSUAL FOR THAT MUCH INLAY ON A OBJECT OF THAT AGE. AND I TRUST YOU GOT IT FOR MUCH LESS THAN THE SOUTHBYS ESTIMATE ON YOUR LINK. GOOD FOR YOU