Zulu Knobkerrie
The third of my recent African purchases:
Catalogue description:
Late 19th century Zulu Knobkerrie, polished bi-colour wooden ball top with lower long shaft handle flaring towards the base.
Stats:
Weight: 19.4oz (0.55kg)
Length overall: 32.5'' (82.5cm) Ball diameter: 2.7'' (68.6cm)
PoB: 8'' (20m) from base of ball.
Again although described as a Zulu piece it could well have been made by others. I would welcome opinions on this. A couple of points to mention. There is discolouration on the haft which leads me to believe that there was some sort of wrap around the lower part of it. I have tried to show this by enhancing the colour and contrast on one of the pictures. Also apparent is the bi colour nature of the wood. Is this caused by ma heart and sapwood combination similar to a longbow? The haft is curved, I don't know if this was intentional or the result of warping with age. I would just like to say that I used to think wooden clubs were a sort of second class weapons compared to bladed items. I now know this is not the case. The heft of this club tells you it would snap long bones, crush skulls and stave in ribs with ease!
As usual all comments and opinions welcomed.
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