Anthropomorphic Knobkerrie
 

This is one of my most favourite things at the moment. Got it last week at considerable cost to my collection of blades but it is worth it to my mind anyway. I just think it is so clever, simply beautiful. I love the hair on the head. Is it male or female? The suggestion of a torso and arms so minimal yet so clear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../EApril001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../EApril002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../EApril003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../EApril004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../EApril005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../EApril006.jpg

Very nice Tim :) . I'm sure that cost you quite a load of fish and chips. ;)

Lew

Very, very nice, Tim. I really like the patina on this piece. Did the seller give you an origin ? I'm not sure, but I would think it's from Swaziland.
I hope it didn't cost you too many 'blades'.

Some years ago, I bought a collection of African clubs on ebay. These were sold as 'drumsticks'. :D :p :rolleyes: So you can guess that I didn't have to pay a lot.

Here's one which has, to my opinion, an animal form. When I look at this piece, I see an animal's head (monkey ?). The maker just used the shape of this piece of wood to create this head and upper body.

I showed this club to other collectors and they think it's Gogo from Tansania.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eelding568.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eelding569.jpg

another one
 

Here's another one, again Gogo.

I wonder if these 'more decorated' piece were really used or were just for showing off ?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...elding2637.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...elding2638.jpg

Hi Tim,
very nice....but, I just see a stylised lion head :shrug: The 'face' is quite 'elongated'.


Regards David

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Hello David, I can see your thinking. The basic form although not seen that often is not truly rare. I have to say I do see this as anthropomorphic when one considers the residual arms and braided African hairstyles. This Knobkerrie may well be from many people even quite far North. This picture of hair styles is alone the lines of my thinking. I am sure people further south had varied hairstyles. I could well be wrong :shrug: .