Weapon or Tool?

russel · 25th October 2015, 04:48 AM

Hello all,

I bought this on a whim (and cheaply) recently. It is yet to arrive, so I only have the sellers images to share. I have had a good search of the Forum and the wider internet but still remain quite clueless as to the origin or purpose of this item. I hope someone here can be of help.

OAL 50cm.

Cheers - Russel

Robert · 25th October 2015, 06:01 AM

Hello Russel, When first looking at this I was thinking possibly a drum stick, but with the tack work I think if it were used for that the tacks would be falling out all the time. Maybe a scepter or some other badge of rank ?

Whatever it is I am sure that someone here that has a lot more knowledge than I do about these will be able to identify it for you.

Best,
Robert

colin henshaw · 25th October 2015, 11:20 AM

Looks African, probably Chokwe. Sticks like this were used as indicators of rank, part of costume etc by adult males.

russel · 29th October 2015, 02:05 AM

Thanks guys, your comments have led me down more informative lines of enquiry and yes, a Chokwe (or simililar) Status "Sceptre" seems the most likely identification.

The triangular carvings and the use of imported brass furniture tacks are very similar to others from this region/culture. Curiously most of the sceptres I have seen are figural or bulbous, has anyone seen one with a similar "block" shaped head?

Cheers - Russel

25th October 2015, 04:48 AM	#1
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Weapon or Tool? Hello all, I bought this on a whim (and cheaply) recently. It is yet to arrive, so I only have the sellers images to share. I have had a good search of the Forum and the wider internet but still remain quite clueless as to the origin or purpose of this item. I hope someone here can be of help. OAL 50cm. Cheers - Russel Attached Images Last edited by russel; 25th October 2015 at 12:40 PM.

29th October 2015, 02:05 AM	#4
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Thanks guys, your comments have led me down more informative lines of enquiry and yes, a Chokwe (or simililar) Status "Sceptre" seems the most likely identification. The triangular carvings and the use of imported brass furniture tacks are very similar to others from this region/culture. Curiously most of the sceptres I have seen are figural or bulbous, has anyone seen one with a similar "block" shaped head? Cheers - Russel Last edited by russel; 29th October 2015 at 02:23 AM.

25th October 2015, 06:01 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Russel, When first looking at this I was thinking possibly a drum stick, but with the tack work I think if it were used for that the tacks would be falling out all the time. Maybe a scepter or some other badge of rank ? Whatever it is I am sure that someone here that has a lot more knowledge than I do about these will be able to identify it for you. Best, Robert

25th October 2015, 11:20 AM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Looks African, probably Chokwe. Sticks like this were used as indicators of rank, part of costume etc by adult males.