Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


77 - African Zulu Knobkerrie Club

Well patinated hardwood Zulu knobkerrie club with a nice burl grained head that is fairly spherical. Fine, narrow cracks are seen within the darker component of the wood and remain subtle and non-distracting. The slightly arched handle appears to extend naturally from the head and the club appears to be all one piece. A braided brass ferrule or collar is present adjacent to the head; from an area of altered patina between this band and the head and some disruption in the weave, it is likely that some of this band is now missing. There are also subtle narrow cracks within the handle and some scattered small indentations in both the head and handle. A slight color change toward the end of the handle, where the club would likely have been held, is discernable. Lew's notes provide a dating circa 1880 to 1890. The club weighs 15.9 ounces and is 24 1/2 inches in overall length with the head essentially 3 inches in diameter.




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