A poke in the eye with a sharp stick

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

Ron Anderson · 23rd September 2010, 01:16 AM

Another useful thing to remember about Aboriginal items is that they are frequently multi-purpose.

The darkened tips on your stick suggest that in addition to a fighting stick, it may have been used to tend a fire, or even cook.

Worth investigating anyway.

22nd September 2010, 07:37 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
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	#4
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

23rd September 2010, 01:16 AM	#5
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Another useful thing to remember about Aboriginal items is that they are frequently multi-purpose. The darkened tips on your stick suggest that in addition to a fighting stick, it may have been used to tend a fire, or even cook. Worth investigating anyway.