Papua New Guinea Club ?

Norman McCormick · 2nd April 2015, 11:07 PM

Hi,
Image of club in Plymouth Museum collection.
Regards,
Norman.

Photo, Plymouth Museum Website.

VANDOO · 3rd April 2015, 05:50 AM

I WOULD AGREE ITS LIKELY FROM NEW GUINEA AND IS A VERY NICE EXAMPLE OF THE ROUND BALL SHAPED STONE HEAD FORM. IT IS UNUSUAL TO FIND CARVING ON THE SHAFT OF THESE AND OFTEN THE SHAFTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY FOR SALE. YOUR EXAMPLE SEEMS TO HAVE NATURAL PATINA AND SHOWS GOOD AGE. I LIKE IT A LOT BETTER THAN THE EXAMPLE FROM THE MUSEUM. WE NEED A REFERENCE POST ON THESE AS THERE ARE SEVERAL FORMS FROM FLAT DISK TO STAR SHAPED TO PINEAPPLE TO DIAMOND SHAPED FORMS AS WELL AS THE ROUND BALL FORM. THERE ARE NO DOUBT REGIONAL DIFFERENCES, PERHAPS THE DESIGN ON YOUR EXAMPLE CAN HELP PIN IT DOWN TO ONE AREA OR TRIBE. I HAVE SOME MATERIAL ON THEM BUT HAVE NOT GOTTEN AROUND TO WORKING ON IT YET.

Tim Simmons · 3rd April 2015, 07:22 AM

The fine engraved lines on the sharft of this example make me believe this example may actually be African. Here is an example from the Pittrivers Oxford. Either way I like it.

http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1937.34.45/

I found pictures I posted back in 2007 of a Sudan club that illustrates this type of engraved linear decoration. The pictures are not in good light. The wood in real life is very similar in colour and patina. I cannot take better pictures as this club is currently in an auction house. If I am correct (if got it right from the last telephone contact with said house) the club and a load of other weapon junk is being return to me as a did not like their so called tribal experts appraisal. If this is indeed how I left it, I will be able to add better pictures in a week or twos time.

2nd April 2015, 11:07 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi, Image of club in Plymouth Museum collection. Regards, Norman. Photo, Plymouth Museum Website. Attached Images

3rd April 2015, 07:22 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	The fine engraved lines on the sharft of this example make me believe this example may actually be African. Here is an example from the Pittrivers Oxford. Either way I like it. http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1937.34.45/ I found pictures I posted back in 2007 of a Sudan club that illustrates this type of engraved linear decoration. The pictures are not in good light. The wood in real life is very similar in colour and patina. I cannot take better pictures as this club is currently in an auction house. If I am correct (if got it right from the last telephone contact with said house) the club and a load of other weapon junk is being return to me as a did not like their so called tribal experts appraisal. If this is indeed how I left it, I will be able to add better pictures in a week or twos time. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 3rd April 2015 at 07:45 AM.

3rd April 2015, 05:50 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I WOULD AGREE ITS LIKELY FROM NEW GUINEA AND IS A VERY NICE EXAMPLE OF THE ROUND BALL SHAPED STONE HEAD FORM. IT IS UNUSUAL TO FIND CARVING ON THE SHAFT OF THESE AND OFTEN THE SHAFTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY FOR SALE. YOUR EXAMPLE SEEMS TO HAVE NATURAL PATINA AND SHOWS GOOD AGE. I LIKE IT A LOT BETTER THAN THE EXAMPLE FROM THE MUSEUM. WE NEED A REFERENCE POST ON THESE AS THERE ARE SEVERAL FORMS FROM FLAT DISK TO STAR SHAPED TO PINEAPPLE TO DIAMOND SHAPED FORMS AS WELL AS THE ROUND BALL FORM. THERE ARE NO DOUBT REGIONAL DIFFERENCES, PERHAPS THE DESIGN ON YOUR EXAMPLE CAN HELP PIN IT DOWN TO ONE AREA OR TRIBE. I HAVE SOME MATERIAL ON THEM BUT HAVE NOT GOTTEN AROUND TO WORKING ON IT YET.