Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 28th April 2011, 03:13 AM   #1
Gavin Nugent
Member
 
Gavin Nugent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
Default Hand Harpoon

I thought some tribal club collectors might like to view this form.
It is a canoe hunting harpoon that by design doubles as a gaf when required and would certainly make for a nasty club if whacked with it.
Attached Images
   
Gavin Nugent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st May 2011, 04:59 PM   #2
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,734
Default

This looks very much like work from the Solomon Islands. The pointy end is a classic terminal to club and dance staff ends. It looks reletively light but along with big heavy club armed warriors you would need faster lighter clubs working in the mix. The carving is very nice, superb placing of all the elements that make the club. Here is a picture of a form from the same inspiration. "Solomon Island art, The Conru Collection"
Attached Images
 

Last edited by Tim Simmons; 1st May 2011 at 07:10 PM. Reason: SPELLING
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2011, 02:21 PM   #3
Gavin Nugent
Member
 
Gavin Nugent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
Default Indeed you are correct

Hi Tim,

Indeed you are correct with the origins, it was collected from the region.

It is a lighter piece but very strong.

I suspect more of a harpoon than a club as the lobes are not on the right angle for any impact advantage, actually I feel they would break with a hard club like strike, you'd be better off with a simple lobe, much stronger and more effective...however, the flared tip near the barbs fits solid and comfortable in the palm of your hand for a good tight grip, with the other hand as a guide this is a super effective stabber....

Gav
Gavin Nugent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2011, 05:05 PM   #4
fearn
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,247
Default

Hi Gav,

There are a couple of possibilities here. One is that it originally had two spear heads, but that the one in front of the barbs broke and was rounded off.

The other possibility is that it's a spear on one end and a carrying hook (or similar) on the other. I've seen one of those from Hawaii.

F
fearn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2011, 06:44 PM   #5
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,734
Default

Some pictures to illustrate the typical pointed terminal. The club with the inlay is listed as a dance club in "shields of Melanesia" the two on the black background are from the publication mentioned earlier in this topic. The one on the white background is also from "shields of melannesia" These and similar clubs are most often called parrying or shield clubs but are also used in dance as seen in the link. Perhaps this too is a form of dance staff ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjD9k...eature=related
Attached Images
   

Last edited by Tim Simmons; 2nd May 2011 at 07:03 PM.
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th May 2011, 06:06 PM   #6
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Thumbs up

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF A SIMULAR ITEM, SAID TO HAVE BEEN COLLECTED BY FRANZ WERNER IN 1959 IN THE RENNEL ISLANDS, SOLOMONS. IT IS 35INCHES LONG. A INTERESTING FORM BUT LIKELY MORE OF A STATUS OR CEREMONIAL ITEM AS THERE ARE A LOT BETTER CLUBS FOR FIGHTING.
Attached Images
   
VANDOO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th May 2011, 11:36 PM   #7
Gavin Nugent
Member
 
Gavin Nugent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VANDOO
HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF A SIMULAR ITEM, SAID TO HAVE BEEN COLLECTED BY FRANZ WERNER IN 1959 IN THE RENNEL ISLANDS, SOLOMONS. IT IS 35INCHES LONG. A INTERESTING FORM BUT LIKELY MORE OF A STATUS OR CEREMONIAL ITEM AS THERE ARE A LOT BETTER CLUBS FOR FIGHTING.
Spot on Barry, the 'club' I presented was also gathered mid 20th century from the Rennel Island group by a cadet (naval I am guessing).
Looking at this one, status may well be what they are as in the hand, fighting isn't a key factor and by the form of this one, it would be hard to draw paralells with a harpoon that I considered mine as....Cheers!

Gav
Gavin Nugent is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.