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

katana · 14th January 2012, 07:27 PM

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 · 14th January 2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · 14th January 2012, 08:54 PM

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 · 14th January 2012, 10:42 PM

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

Regards

katana · 15th January 2012, 02:16 AM

Thank you so much Colin

,

You've solved the mystery ....fascinating

Found this is on the web....

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

Kind Regards David

VANDOO · 15th January 2012, 07:02 PM

VERY INTERESTING, WE LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY

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.

14th January 2012, 07:27 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Carved "What is it"....Story stick?? Interesting 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 Attached Images

14th January 2012, 08:54 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	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 Attached Images

14th January 2012, 10:42 PM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	This is a Tibetan Buddhist object - for making protective amulets out of dough by monks. Called "Zanpar" Regards

15th January 2012, 02:16 AM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thank you so much Colin , You've solved the mystery ....fascinating Found this is on the web.... http://www.ethnoantiques.com/wordpress/?cat=28 Kind Regards David

15th January 2012, 07:02 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	VERY INTERESTING, WE LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY 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.