African, but what for ?

Luc LEFEBVRE · 15th August 2008, 06:45 PM

Someone asked me to identify this object.
Sure it's African, sub-saharian.
Made of wood covered with leather with a bronze "hammer" and a bronze removable cone at the top.
It don't look like a weapon, even a recade, surely a tool.
But what is this kind of hammer and cold used for ?
Salt, camel ??
Thanks for your help.
Luc

Lew · 15th August 2008, 07:01 PM

Luc

It's some type of riding crop and the stopper part is for salt or snuff I think.

Lew

Freddy · 15th August 2008, 07:34 PM

Hi Luc,

I have a similar one in my collection. Mine has an iron head and is quite heavy. In my opinion, it's some kind of mace or warhammer.

mross · 15th August 2008, 07:43 PM

Looks sorta like a elephant goad. but.., camel goad?

katana · 15th August 2008, 09:29 PM

I wondered whether the 'cone' might fit the 'hammer'. It seems unusual , to me, for a cone to be used as a stopper. Obviously it would suffice, but often the 'pointed' end would be flattened.

Regards David

15th August 2008, 06:45 PM	#1
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	African, but what for ? Someone asked me to identify this object. Sure it's African, sub-saharian. Made of wood covered with leather with a bronze "hammer" and a bronze removable cone at the top. It don't look like a weapon, even a recade, surely a tool. But what is this kind of hammer and cold used for ? Salt, camel ?? Thanks for your help. Luc Attached Images

15th August 2008, 07:01 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Luc It's some type of riding crop and the stopper part is for salt or snuff I think. Lew

15th August 2008, 07:34 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Hi Luc, I have a similar one in my collection. Mine has an iron head and is quite heavy. In my opinion, it's some kind of mace or warhammer.

15th August 2008, 07:43 PM	#4
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Looks sorta like a elephant goad. but.., camel goad?

15th August 2008, 09:29 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	I wondered whether the 'cone' might fit the 'hammer'. It seems unusual , to me, for a cone to be used as a stopper. Obviously it would suffice, but often the 'pointed' end would be flattened. Regards David