Zulu wire wrapped Club or Staff

Clubs & Arrows · 26th September 2010, 08:41 PM

Hello.
I just picked this up the other day in an antique shop, tucked away with umbrellas and canes. To me it appears to be a Zulu Knobkerrie with bi-color wirework, but I've never seen one covered with this much wire. It even has the traditional bands that are normally found on these clubs, but they are connected to the overall weaving. The weaving is so tightly executed, that you can see where it conforms to the small bumps along the branch under the wire. I took pics of the club next to a 32" fairly standard club that I already had, for size and weaving comparison. Has anyone seen something like this before? I haven't been able to track down any similar examples.

Thanks,
Joe

Lew · 27th September 2010, 01:36 AM

Wow that was a great find

I just love those types of stories. Looks Zulu but it could be Shona?

Congrats

Clubs & Arrows · 27th September 2010, 04:46 AM

Hi Lew,
Would this still be considered a club with a head that small, or is it more of a staff? I'm used to seeing them similar in shape/size to the one that I have in the pics for comparison.

Thanks,
Joe

Lew · 27th September 2010, 03:46 PM

Your knobkerrie is a status piece it was not meant to be used as a war club. Probably belonged to a higher ranking person in the tribe.

Clubs & Arrows · 27th September 2010, 04:56 PM

Lew,
Thanks again for your help.

Best regards,
Joe

thinreadline · 7th December 2010, 11:18 AM

This is from my collection , picked it up at the big military show in Ciney Belgium 10 years ago. Assume it must have belonged to an eminent tribal member as like your club it is almost entirely wire wrapped.

26th September 2010, 08:41 PM	#1
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Zulu wire wrapped Club or Staff Hello. I just picked this up the other day in an antique shop, tucked away with umbrellas and canes. To me it appears to be a Zulu Knobkerrie with bi-color wirework, but I've never seen one covered with this much wire. It even has the traditional bands that are normally found on these clubs, but they are connected to the overall weaving. The weaving is so tightly executed, that you can see where it conforms to the small bumps along the branch under the wire. I took pics of the club next to a 32" fairly standard club that I already had, for size and weaving comparison. Has anyone seen something like this before? I haven't been able to track down any similar examples. Thanks, Joe Attached Images

7th December 2010, 11:18 AM	#6
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	WIRE WRAPPED ZULU IKLWA This is from my collection , picked it up at the big military show in Ciney Belgium 10 years ago. Assume it must have belonged to an eminent tribal member as like your club it is almost entirely wire wrapped. Attached Images

27th September 2010, 01:36 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Wow that was a great find I just love those types of stories. Looks Zulu but it could be Shona? Congrats

27th September 2010, 04:46 AM	#3
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Hi Lew, Would this still be considered a club with a head that small, or is it more of a staff? I'm used to seeing them similar in shape/size to the one that I have in the pics for comparison. Thanks, Joe

27th September 2010, 03:46 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Your knobkerrie is a status piece it was not meant to be used as a war club. Probably belonged to a higher ranking person in the tribe.

27th September 2010, 04:56 PM	#5
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Lew, Thanks again for your help. Best regards, Joe