Mysterious club

Freddy · 14th October 2012, 07:37 PM

I found this one this morning on the antique market in my town. The seller wasn't sure where it's from : Africa or South Sea area.

I've seen and handled quite some African clubs, but this one just doesn't fit into that category. Could it be Melanesian or something from that area ? Am I so lucky

?

The length is about 53,5 cm (21,4 inches). The feature I like about this piece is the great patina at the lower part, where it was handled.
The club widens near the top and has some incised decoration.

Does anyone has an idea ? Perhaps Tim ?

Atlantia · 14th October 2012, 07:43 PM

Hi Freddy,

It reminds me a little of the one I had below. It was collected in the 60s from the Mosi-oa-Tunya area of the Zambizi between Zambia and what was then Rhodesia. The collectors recollection was that the people that produced this club spoke Xhosa.

Congoblades · 14th October 2012, 09:02 PM

Hi Freddy,

The shape of this one looks simular, Solomon Islands.

Indianajones · 15th October 2012, 09:45 PM

Hi Freddy,
the first thought that came up seeing your club was it could be Aboriginal (Australia). After had a better look it does not look to be it. I dont think it is from the Oceanic part of the world as I know most of those clubs. If it isnt Aboriginal I think you should look more in the African corner (of which I dont know much).

I DO think it is really a club seen the patine on the handle, and a nice old one (1900- 1920's). As there are also long pestles and washingrods nowadays being sold as 'club'.

Good luck with your research n hopefully someone else reckognizes it.
Best Indiana

Tim Simmons · 16th October 2012, 06:03 PM

Just seen this Freddy and I think I have to agree with Indiana. At first glance one might think of the Solomons but it does not have any of the usual features in the hadle or the business end. It does not appear to be Australian either. The fact that it is round in section with a point, looks like some clubs from the Amazon but again I very much doubt it. This picture is a Solomon Island club next to an East African example the same length as your club 53.5 cm, yours looks a bit heavier.

colin henshaw · 17th October 2012, 02:04 PM

From the images, the wood seems to be palmwood. So this means either Melanesia, Micronesia or Amazon areas. From the profile of the club, I go for Melanesia, perhaps Solomon Islands or thereabouts.

Regards.

Tim Simmons · 17th October 2012, 05:22 PM

Could be a short version of this form of Amazonian club?

The basic form, from limited research, seems widespred. The African club is just a measure 53.5cm The Amazon club is made from what appears to be a dense but not that heavy palm wood. I have one made from far heavier palm wood. Still think it is probably African.

Indianajones · 17th October 2012, 08:01 PM

Question; is the heavy end of the club round or oval or perhaps almondshaped in crosscut? (I can not see that from the pics)

Could be South American too indeed.

Freddy · 21st October 2012, 08:16 PM

The 'business end' of this club is round (or sort of). I have my doubts that it's from the South Sea due to its size.

Here are some new pics. The top of this club has 4 incisions (as seen on the last pic)

14th October 2012, 07:37 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Mysterious club I found this one this morning on the antique market in my town. The seller wasn't sure where it's from : Africa or South Sea area. I've seen and handled quite some African clubs, but this one just doesn't fit into that category. Could it be Melanesian or something from that area ? Am I so lucky ? The length is about 53,5 cm (21,4 inches). The feature I like about this piece is the great patina at the lower part, where it was handled. The club widens near the top and has some incised decoration. Does anyone has an idea ? Perhaps Tim ? Attached Images

14th October 2012, 07:43 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Freddy, It reminds me a little of the one I had below. It was collected in the 60s from the Mosi-oa-Tunya area of the Zambizi between Zambia and what was then Rhodesia. The collectors recollection was that the people that produced this club spoke Xhosa. Attached Images

14th October 2012, 09:02 PM	#3
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Hi Freddy, The shape of this one looks simular, Solomon Islands. Attached Images

16th October 2012, 06:03 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Just seen this Freddy and I think I have to agree with Indiana. At first glance one might think of the Solomons but it does not have any of the usual features in the hadle or the business end. It does not appear to be Australian either. The fact that it is round in section with a point, looks like some clubs from the Amazon but again I very much doubt it. This picture is a Solomon Island club next to an East African example the same length as your club 53.5 cm, yours looks a bit heavier. Attached Images

17th October 2012, 05:22 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Could be a short version of this form of Amazonian club? The basic form, from limited research, seems widespred. The African club is just a measure 53.5cm The Amazon club is made from what appears to be a dense but not that heavy palm wood. I have one made from far heavier palm wood. Still think it is probably African. Attached Images

15th October 2012, 09:45 PM	#4
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hi Freddy, the first thought that came up seeing your club was it could be Aboriginal (Australia). After had a better look it does not look to be it. I dont think it is from the Oceanic part of the world as I know most of those clubs. If it isnt Aboriginal I think you should look more in the African corner (of which I dont know much). I DO think it is really a club seen the patine on the handle, and a nice old one (1900- 1920's). As there are also long pestles and washingrods nowadays being sold as 'club'. Good luck with your research n hopefully someone else reckognizes it. Best Indiana

17th October 2012, 02:04 PM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	From the images, the wood seems to be palmwood. So this means either Melanesia, Micronesia or Amazon areas. From the profile of the club, I go for Melanesia, perhaps Solomon Islands or thereabouts. Regards.

17th October 2012, 08:01 PM	#8
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Question; is the heavy end of the club round or oval or perhaps almondshaped in crosscut? (I can not see that from the pics) Could be South American too indeed.

21st October 2012, 08:16 PM	#9
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	The 'business end' of this club is round (or sort of). I have my doubts that it's from the South Sea due to its size. Here are some new pics. The top of this club has 4 incisions (as seen on the last pic) Attached Images