A poke in the eye with a sharp stick

Tim Simmons · 20th September 2010, 07:49 PM

I am not stating anything but this picture of a wood dagger from the "Bishop Museum, Honolulu" is not a million miles away in all aspects from the double pointed stick.

Ron Anderson · 21st September 2010, 01:11 AM

Hi Tim

And don't forget Africa.

That last carved stick could so easily come from South Africa too.

Regards
Ron

Tim Simmons · 22nd September 2010, 06:00 PM

I can understand if you are not into this kind of thing it is realy difficult to enthuse about it. I get the same non plus feeling about much of the heralded poor silver items we see. Fortunately I rather like this sort of thing. In my limited knowledge it does look Australian. The fact that the bark is only partly removed seems to suggest this. What may appear to be crude might in fact be a sophistication we do not fully understand. The bark and wood itself do make a good grip in absence of a carved grip as seen in the palm wood example. I like the fire hardened points which show that the wood is not as naturally hard like palm wood. The simple nature of this example might be determind by the enviroment such as a desert with a shortage of suitable wood? The bark is a thin paper cover type of bark. As to the age who knows? It is far from recent however one views recent. There is a good patina which I try to show next to an old Fijian club. I do believe there is a patina scale? I think it is great, and couple of points.

1 There is a tradition.
2 With or without fancy, these example show the same form.
3 It does seem to us a strange piece of wood to select for further working.
4 People actually fought with these weapons.

fearn · 22nd September 2010, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the size comparison. Now all you need to do is learn the combat applications, and you'll be good to go.

I'm looking forward to the double watermelon skewer. That will be fun to watch.

Best,

F

inveterate · 22nd September 2010, 09:28 PM

It does look Aussie and in these better pics I think it is Mulga wood. Cheers Rod

Lew · 22nd September 2010, 10:47 PM

Yup it does look like mulga now. See what good clear pics can do.

Ron Anderson · 23rd September 2010, 01:14 AM

Hi Tim

I share your enthusiasm for these simple unadorned forms. It is very Australian. As my rock pictures intended to show (stones I posted way back) Aboriginal weapons and tools were often very utilitarian in form. But there is a certain genius to the simplicity too.

I'm still learning a lot about Aboriginal artefacts. I believe Mulga wood indicates it is likely to be from South Australia, or perhaps West Australia.

The stick is obviously stone carved. I can't see any rasp marks. So it seems to be 1930s or earlier. Certainly not recent. And items of that age are quickly pounced upon over here. They're not easy to find at good prices.

I'd say there is a bit of a tradition on double headed aboriginal implements. Double-ended stick knives, etc. are not uncommon.

It's a nice piece I would quickly add to my own collection.

Cheers
Ron

20th September 2010, 07:49 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	I am not stating anything but this picture of a wood dagger from the "Bishop Museum, Honolulu" is not a million miles away in all aspects from the double pointed stick. Attached Images

22nd September 2010, 06:00 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	I can understand if you are not into this kind of thing it is realy difficult to enthuse about it. I get the same non plus feeling about much of the heralded poor silver items we see. Fortunately I rather like this sort of thing. In my limited knowledge it does look Australian. The fact that the bark is only partly removed seems to suggest this. What may appear to be crude might in fact be a sophistication we do not fully understand. The bark and wood itself do make a good grip in absence of a carved grip as seen in the palm wood example. I like the fire hardened points which show that the wood is not as naturally hard like palm wood. The simple nature of this example might be determind by the enviroment such as a desert with a shortage of suitable wood? The bark is a thin paper cover type of bark. As to the age who knows? It is far from recent however one views recent. There is a good patina which I try to show next to an old Fijian club. I do believe there is a patina scale? I think it is great, and couple of points. 1 There is a tradition. 2 With or without fancy, these example show the same form. 3 It does seem to us a strange piece of wood to select for further working. 4 People actually fought with these weapons. Attached Images

21st September 2010, 01:11 AM	#2
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Tim And don't forget Africa. That last carved stick could so easily come from South Africa too. Regards Ron

22nd September 2010, 07:37 PM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Thanks for the size comparison. Now all you need to do is learn the combat applications, and you'll be good to go. I'm looking forward to the double watermelon skewer. That will be fun to watch. Best, F

22nd September 2010, 09:28 PM	#5
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	It does look Aussie and in these better pics I think it is Mulga wood. Cheers Rod

22nd September 2010, 10:47 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Yup it does look like mulga now. See what good clear pics can do.

23rd September 2010, 01:14 AM	#7
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Tim I share your enthusiasm for these simple unadorned forms. It is very Australian. As my rock pictures intended to show (stones I posted way back) Aboriginal weapons and tools were often very utilitarian in form. But there is a certain genius to the simplicity too. I'm still learning a lot about Aboriginal artefacts. I believe Mulga wood indicates it is likely to be from South Australia, or perhaps West Australia. The stick is obviously stone carved. I can't see any rasp marks. So it seems to be 1930s or earlier. Certainly not recent. And items of that age are quickly pounced upon over here. They're not easy to find at good prices. I'd say there is a bit of a tradition on double headed aboriginal implements. Double-ended stick knives, etc. are not uncommon. It's a nice piece I would quickly add to my own collection. Cheers Ron