Aboriginal Club for Comments

Queequeg · 28th February 2010, 08:40 PM

The gentleman from whom I got this said it was an Australian-Aboriginal fighting stick. I was wondering if anyone here could give me any further information on this piece.

The wood is very, very heavy and hard (I can't make a mark on it with my fingernail and it dents all of the other hardwoods I've rapped against it).

Overall shot. It's about 32" long and has a snake with a head on each end carved around the shaft:

A close up of one head, showing the polyhedral surface and one end of the snake:

From one head down:

The head next to my hand for size comparison:

The body of the snake carving:

Thanks in advance for any information.

Lew · 1st March 2010, 03:28 AM

I think it is more African the snake motif is pretty common in the southern parts could be Zulu?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=walking+stick

fearn · 1st March 2010, 04:11 AM

My first thought on seeing it was knobkerrie. But looking at it, double-ended and all, I can believe it's Australian, but perhaps made for the (cough) more modern art market?

Best,

F

VANDOO · 1st March 2010, 04:45 AM

THOUGH IT IS CRUDE AND ATTRACTIVE I WOULD CLASSIFY THIS AS FOLK ART AND RECENT NOT A CLUB.
IF THE WOOD IS ALL NATURAL WITH WOOD BURNING DESIGN IT MAY BE SOME SORT OF GUM TREE FROM AUSTRALIA.
IF THE WOOD HAS BEEN STAINED TO MAKE THE CONTRAST THAT TECKNIQUE IS MORE PREVELENT FOR SUCH ITEMS FROM AFRICA. THE SNAKE IS A RE-OCCURING DESIGN IN AUSTRALIA (THE RAINBOW SERPENT) AS WELL AS AFRICA, NORTH AMERICA ,ECT., ECT.

katana · 1st March 2010, 04:51 PM

Hi Queequeg,
I believe this is a 'weet weet' an aboriginal throwing stick with conical ends....effective range around 40 metres. It is thrown by swinging back and forth a few times and then launching it with a underhand jerking movement.
Yours being ornate, is perhaps ceremonial, but could also be touristy...

Best
David

28th February 2010, 08:40 PM	#1
Queequeg Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Detroit (New Mayapan) Posts: 96	Aboriginal Club for Comments The gentleman from whom I got this said it was an Australian-Aboriginal fighting stick. I was wondering if anyone here could give me any further information on this piece. The wood is very, very heavy and hard (I can't make a mark on it with my fingernail and it dents all of the other hardwoods I've rapped against it). Overall shot. It's about 32" long and has a snake with a head on each end carved around the shaft: A close up of one head, showing the polyhedral surface and one end of the snake: From one head down: The head next to my hand for size comparison: The body of the snake carving: Thanks in advance for any information.

1st March 2010, 03:28 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I think it is more African the snake motif is pretty common in the southern parts could be Zulu? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=walking+stick

1st March 2010, 04:11 AM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	My first thought on seeing it was knobkerrie. But looking at it, double-ended and all, I can believe it's Australian, but perhaps made for the (cough) more modern art market? Best, F

1st March 2010, 04:45 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THOUGH IT IS CRUDE AND ATTRACTIVE I WOULD CLASSIFY THIS AS FOLK ART AND RECENT NOT A CLUB. IF THE WOOD IS ALL NATURAL WITH WOOD BURNING DESIGN IT MAY BE SOME SORT OF GUM TREE FROM AUSTRALIA. IF THE WOOD HAS BEEN STAINED TO MAKE THE CONTRAST THAT TECKNIQUE IS MORE PREVELENT FOR SUCH ITEMS FROM AFRICA. THE SNAKE IS A RE-OCCURING DESIGN IN AUSTRALIA (THE RAINBOW SERPENT) AS WELL AS AFRICA, NORTH AMERICA ,ECT., ECT.

1st March 2010, 04:51 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Queequeg, I believe this is a 'weet weet' an aboriginal throwing stick with conical ends....effective range around 40 metres. It is thrown by swinging back and forth a few times and then launching it with a underhand jerking movement. Yours being ornate, is perhaps ceremonial, but could also be touristy... Best David