Zulu or further north?

Shakethetrees · 23rd August 2014, 04:27 PM

I think it's from further north, as the carving and the manner it was executed do not look right to be Zulu, at least in the numerous pieces I've seen and handled over the last thirty years.

The metal rod is not typical of any of their clubs. I've seen North African and Indian walking sticks that are carved and constructed like this, but never a knobkerrie/iwisa.

The ivory ball is way too big and solid to be hippo. It appears to be 2 1/2" or larger in diameter. Have you tested it? From the photo, the color looks a little grey to me, possibly fossilized bone? If it's not elephant or bone, I don't know what else is out there that grows solid teeth or tusks that large.

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23rd August 2014, 04:27 PM	#2
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	I think it's from further north, as the carving and the manner it was executed do not look right to be Zulu, at least in the numerous pieces I've seen and handled over the last thirty years. The metal rod is not typical of any of their clubs. I've seen North African and Indian walking sticks that are carved and constructed like this, but never a knobkerrie/iwisa. The ivory ball is way too big and solid to be hippo. It appears to be 2 1/2" or larger in diameter. Have you tested it? From the photo, the color looks a little grey to me, possibly fossilized bone? If it's not elephant or bone, I don't know what else is out there that grows solid teeth or tusks that large.