NEW CLUB, I REFER TO AS THE GIANT PECKER

[Tim Simmons]

I think Barry is right Africa Senufo.

[VANDOO]

YOU ARE RIGHT SAJEN IT IS THE REMAINS OF A PUPA LIKE THE ONE YOU SHOW, GOOD EYE I HAD NOT NOTICED IT. I READ AN ARTICLE ON THE USE OF VARIOUS INSECT PUPA AND OTHER TRACES BEING USED TO IDENTIFY THE REGION ARTIFACTS CAME FROM. THEY SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THIS BEING USED FOR IDENTIFICATION AND AGE DETERMINATION ON ITEMS FROM NEW GUINEA AND THE REGION AROUND IT.
MENTION WAS ALSO MADE OF LOCALS ARTIFICIALLY AGEING OBJECTS BY BURYING THEM IN THE GROUND AND THEN HANGING THEM IN A SHED OR STORAGE BUILDING FOR A SEASON OR SO TO LET THESE BUGS LEAVE THEIR TRACES.
SO IT IS LIKELY THIS IS OCEANIC AND FROM THE REGION AROUND NEW GUINEA UNLESS A SIMILAR INSECT PUPA IS FOUND IN AFRICA?. IT DOES REMIND ME OF THE PIG KILLING CLUBS AND THE FIGHTING PICKS FOUND IN THE REGION.
HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF SEVERAL PIG KILLING CLUBS AND ONE FIGHTING PICK. THE PIG KILLING CLUBS ARE MOSTLY FROM VANAUTU AND THE FIRST TWO PICTURES MEASURES 39CM. HEAD X 42 CM. HANDLE. THE 3RD. PICTURE IS 24 INCHES LONG AND THE FIGHTING PICK IS 22 INCHES LONG.
PERHAPS IT REPRESENTS THE CASSOWARY INSTEAD OF THE HORNBILL?

[Sajen]

Hello Barry,

I think it is a dance wand, look for example this one, taken from "Oceanic Art", Anthony JP Meyer, page 260. This one is from the Chambri sea, Itamul, Middle Sepik.

BTW, this book is a great reference work for Oceanic art.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Here is an other one: http://tribalcollective.com/old-kwom...f684/#more-125

[VANDOO]

THESE EXAMPLES WOULD SEEM TO CONFIRM ITS ORIGINS AND WHAT IT WAS USED FOR. THANKS THE GREAT PECKER MYSTERY IS SOLVED

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

THESE EXAMPLES WOULD SEEM TO CONFIRM ITS ORIGINS AND WHAT IT WAS USED FOR. THANKS THE GREAT PECKER MYSTERY IS SOLVED

Hello Barry,

glad that I could help to solve the mystery! I was sure already by the first look that I have seen similar ones but wasn't sure where and from where these dance wands from.

Regards,
Detlef