Carved "What is it"....Story stick?? Interesting

[katana]

Hi,
First of all.... A Happy New Year to one and all :)



bought this chip carved 'stick' ....covered with symbols, animals and human figures. Due to the fact that it does not seem 'decorative', I assumed that this was some sort of story stick ....a tally stick or even a carved 'obituary'.
Animalist carvings seem to include snakes, deer/antelope, turtle/tortoise, porcupine etc one could even be a 'dragon' ? Weapons ....seems to be a spear head, sword and a ball headed club.

The 'stick' has 5 sides (side view), which are all carved.....and a 'shaped peg' on one end similar to a carpenter's tenon joint but chamfered .....so not functional as a woodworking 'joint'.....so unlikely to be a part of a piece of furniture.

'stick' approximately 11" long, hardwood probably early-mid 20thC ....although could be older (depending on how it was stored)

So please any ideas as to function, use or origins greatly appreciated, Thank you

Kind Regards David

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Hi,
First of all.... A Happy New Year to one and all :)



bought this chip carved 'stick' ....covered with symbols, animals and human figures. Due to the fact that it does not seem 'decorative', I assumed that this was some sort of story stick ....a tally stick or even a carved 'obituary'.
Animalist carvings seem to include snakes, deer/antelope, turtle/tortoise, porcupine etc one could even be a 'dragon' ? Weapons ....seems to be a spear head, sword and a ball headed club.

The 'stick' has 5 sides (side view), which are all carved.....and a 'shaped peg' on one end similar to a carpenter's tenon joint but chamfered .....so not functional as a woodworking 'joint'.....so unlikely to be a part of a piece of furniture.

'stick' approximately 11" long, hardwood probably early-mid 20thC ....although could be older (depending on how it was stored)

So please any ideas as to function, use or origins greatly appreciated, Thank you

Kind Regards David


Salaams David ~ It looks old to me. Part of a church seat ? I would say mediaeval time period depicting Noahs Arc... The animals went in two by two etc.. It seems to employ an almost cuneiform cut.. very interesting. Hope you get a full answer ya .. Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi. :)

[katana]

Salaams Ibrahiim,
thanks for your views but I think probably African ....but not certain. Certainly interesting ....the weapon (?) 'forms' are not typical of Africa though...

Kind Regards David

[colin henshaw]

This is a Tibetan Buddhist object - for making protective amulets out of dough by monks. Called "Zanpar"

Regards

[katana]

Thank you so much Colin :) ,

You've solved the mystery ....fascinating :cool:

Found this is on the web....

http://www.ethnoantiques.com/wordpress/?cat=28

Kind Regards David

[VANDOO]

VERY INTERESTING, WE LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY :D
STRANGELY ENOUGH THIS IS SORT OF A WEAPON AFTER ALL THOUGH IT IS FOR MAKEING PROTECTION FROM EVIL SPIRITS AND SUCH NOT TO STRIKE WITH.