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#1 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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A friend of mine recently could resist this at a local flea market. Anyone have any ideas about origin and purpose. It reminds me of a wooden phurba, but it's not Tibetan. The faces look a bit like African carvings. Seems to have some age. Maybe vintage rather than antique. Any input would be appreciated . Thanks
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,167
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King's ceremonial war club/sceptre?
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#3 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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Maybe. But the metal wrapped point on the bottom gives me the impression that it is meant to be stuck into the ground like a stake of some kind.
What do you think about origin? Any recognizable motifs? |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
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It looks like its meant to be a Chokwe (Angola/Congo area) staff of office. However, given the low quality carving I would guess it was likely made for selling to Europeans (tourists).
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#5 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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Yes, my guess would also be that this was made for the market more that for cultural use. Any photos of wood working from the Congo showing similar motifs?
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
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Here are a couple of examples of Chokwe carving from the internet, you can see the style similarities...
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