Unknown club (amazon and purple heart wood?)

Roland_M · 9th August 2017, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Looks a fine piece, congratulations. With that angular construction I would guess it comes from South America, maybe Northern Brazil ?

Thank you.
South America is also my guess. The club was bought by the grandfather of the previous owner in South America, at least he said.

The point of balance of the club is quite exactly in the middle, which leads to a massive forward balance. 1200 Grams and such a forward balance. It is hard to imagine, that this club was really used in combat. But when I cleaned it with sweet almond oil and carnauba + beeswax, the front half was much more "dirty" than the half with the handle. And I also know, that South American Indians has been extremely tough guys.

Roland

Tim Simmons · 9th August 2017, 05:03 PM

That is a lovely club. The purple colour may suggest that it is not a particularly old example but that is not what is necessarily the all important thing about Amazon ? South American tribal weapons. I would say from my limited exploration of Amazonian material that it is from Maranhao state. I have a similar form club that was sold to me by an ex FUNAI operative and labelled as coming from Krikati people.

Tim Simmons · 10th August 2017, 01:49 PM

Just another thought about your club. The handle could well be a pommel and the grip might be above. Does the club feel controllable if gripped that way?

Useful colour change link.
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-ar...-exotic-woods/

Bob A · 10th August 2017, 03:54 PM

Pernambuco is a Brazilian wood used for making violin bows, as well as a source of dye. Looking at your item made me consider the possibility that it is made of this wood.

Tim Simmons · 10th August 2017, 04:09 PM

More useful info.

http://www.wood-database.com/brazilwood/
http://www.wood-database.com/purpleheart/

Tim Simmons · 10th August 2017, 04:33 PM

I wonder if this might be Brazil wood as seen in the data base. The end grain is porous but i cannot show that.

Violin bow link
http://www.theviolinsite.com/violin_bows/index.html

Bows can cost a packet!!!!
https://www.londonviolins.co.uk/bows.php

fireiceviper · 7th February 2018, 03:43 PM

A fine looking club, the square shape is something that i have seen before, the handle is unusual and almost looks Melanesian (Vanuatu) (but its not). the sharp square corners can only be done with the hardest woods, i have a spear that has similar square sides but then changes to round... does yours do this to?

also perhaps some more images of this club?

9th August 2017, 05:03 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	That is a lovely club. The purple colour may suggest that it is not a particularly old example but that is not what is necessarily the all important thing about Amazon ? South American tribal weapons. I would say from my limited exploration of Amazonian material that it is from Maranhao state. I have a similar form club that was sold to me by an ex FUNAI operative and labelled as coming from Krikati people. Attached Images

10th August 2017, 01:49 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Just another thought about your club. The handle could well be a pommel and the grip might be above. Does the club feel controllable if gripped that way? Useful colour change link. http://www.wood-database.com/wood-ar...-exotic-woods/ Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th August 2017 at 03:03 PM.

10th August 2017, 04:33 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I wonder if this might be Brazil wood as seen in the data base. The end grain is porous but i cannot show that. Violin bow link http://www.theviolinsite.com/violin_bows/index.html Bows can cost a packet!!!! https://www.londonviolins.co.uk/bows.php Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th August 2017 at 04:45 PM.

10th August 2017, 03:54 PM	#4
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 435	Pernambuco is a Brazilian wood used for making violin bows, as well as a source of dye. Looking at your item made me consider the possibility that it is made of this wood.

10th August 2017, 04:09 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	More useful info. http://www.wood-database.com/brazilwood/ http://www.wood-database.com/purpleheart/

7th February 2018, 03:43 PM	#7
fireiceviper Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 87	A fine looking club, the square shape is something that i have seen before, the handle is unusual and almost looks Melanesian (Vanuatu) (but its not). the sharp square corners can only be done with the hardest woods, i have a spear that has similar square sides but then changes to round... does yours do this to? also perhaps some more images of this club?