Zulu Walking Stick For Comment

Tim Simmons · 1st March 2009, 08:27 PM

Nice stick Lew. I would agree with Colin early 20th cent. It seems to be a fairly common type. I have this one which is more of a dress stick being only 73cm long. A sign of its lateness to me is the opposite end to the ball, which has a slight bevelled edge and the end has been dressed flat by a file. I know files have been in use for centuries but all the early short sticks that I have, not having contact with the ground have been carved or worn/rubbed at the end. To many collectors this lateness may cause some disinterest but one has to realise how much parts of Southern Africa were like the wild west. Traditional warriors still engaging in conflicts untill 1906. Like in this link, the only survivors two Americans and an Australian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangani_Patrol

It is fasinating how worldwide things like this, swords and knives seem to come in roughly the same set sizes. I suppose we are all humans.

Tim Simmons · 17th March 2009, 08:50 PM

Hello Lew, I asume you will be looking here. I just ebayed this staff/stick which I believe is quite possibly Fon or Benin, certainly West African and high status. The the fist image is a potent symbol in West Africa. I hope to post better pics in the next few days. I could be very much deluded

I was the only bidder

Lew · 17th March 2009, 09:14 PM

Nice stick Tim.

What I find strange is that the shaft seems to be bamboo never saw an African stick made from it but you never know.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 17th March 2009, 09:20 PM

magnify this pic, some kind of grain? The seller says carved step down stick?

Tim Simmons · 18th March 2009, 08:36 AM

Extract from-
{The Continuum Encyclopedia of Native Art: Worldview, Symbolism and Culture in Africa, Oceania and North America}

Tim Simmons · 18th March 2009, 12:02 PM

Fist staff with mudfish and orginal context.
http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/fap/benin.htm

katana · 18th March 2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

magnify this pic, some kind of grain? The seller says carved step down stick?

Grain it is ....

Regards David

Tim Simmons · 20th March 2009, 06:45 PM

Well it is here now and rather nice. The hand is much finer than the old pictures show. There are two ivory bands and a turned section of horn, this horn does seen very similar to a slightly emotive type of horn. It is a really lovey made thing. The other end has a steel cap and as can be seem this has not been in contact with hard surfaces. I think it is clearly not of European manufacture and too subtle to be Indian so I am still of a mind that it is Benin quite possibly from a prestige workshop or guild.

Lew · 20th March 2009, 08:47 PM

Tim

It really does not strike me as African but it could be Asian or Philippine. Whatever it is I think it is quiet lovely and very finely crafted.
Congrats. Btw what is the shaft made of?

Lew

1st March 2009, 08:27 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	Nice stick Lew. I would agree with Colin early 20th cent. It seems to be a fairly common type. I have this one which is more of a dress stick being only 73cm long. A sign of its lateness to me is the opposite end to the ball, which has a slight bevelled edge and the end has been dressed flat by a file. I know files have been in use for centuries but all the early short sticks that I have, not having contact with the ground have been carved or worn/rubbed at the end. To many collectors this lateness may cause some disinterest but one has to realise how much parts of Southern Africa were like the wild west. Traditional warriors still engaging in conflicts untill 1906. Like in this link, the only survivors two Americans and an Australian. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangani_Patrol It is fasinating how worldwide things like this, swords and knives seem to come in roughly the same set sizes. I suppose we are all humans. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 1st March 2009 at 09:14 PM. Reason: spelling. spelling

17th March 2009, 08:50 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	Hello Lew, I asume you will be looking here. I just ebayed this staff/stick which I believe is quite possibly Fon or Benin, certainly West African and high status. The the fist image is a potent symbol in West Africa. I hope to post better pics in the next few days. I could be very much deluded I was the only bidder Attached Images

17th March 2009, 09:20 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	magnify this pic, some kind of grain? The seller says carved step down stick? Attached Images

18th March 2009, 08:36 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	Extract from- {The Continuum Encyclopedia of Native Art: Worldview, Symbolism and Culture in Africa, Oceania and North America} Attached Images

18th March 2009, 12:02 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	Fist staff with mudfish and orginal context. http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/fap/benin.htm Attached Images

17th March 2009, 09:14 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Nice stick Tim. What I find strange is that the shaft seems to be bamboo never saw an African stick made from it but you never know. Lew

20th March 2009, 06:45 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	Well it is here now and rather nice. The hand is much finer than the old pictures show. There are two ivory bands and a turned section of horn, this horn does seen very similar to a slightly emotive type of horn. It is a really lovey made thing. The other end has a steel cap and as can be seem this has not been in contact with hard surfaces. I think it is clearly not of European manufacture and too subtle to be Indian so I am still of a mind that it is Benin quite possibly from a prestige workshop or guild. Attached Images

20th March 2009, 08:47 PM	#9
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim It really does not strike me as African but it could be Asian or Philippine. Whatever it is I think it is quiet lovely and very finely crafted. Congrats. Btw what is the shaft made of? Lew