20th C. African Zulu Wooden War Club w/ Copper Banding

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Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Sep 16, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-09-16 10:00:00 2021-09-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-7473
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• Lot Description
  Africa, South Africa, Zulu tribe, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden war club known as a knobkerrie (also knopkierie and iwisa) often used in southern and eastern Africa. A slender staff leads up to an elegantly mounted spherical, knob-shaped beater head. A swirled dual-tone copper band embellishes the staff’s neck where it expands to form the hefty knob beater. The knob features a rich caramel inclusion, with warm cedar hues offset by a dark mahogany color which is mirrored in its staff. The copper banding and overall quality of this club indicate that it perhaps belonged to tribal royalty. Size: 26" L x 5" W (66 cm x 12.7 cm)
  
  Knobkerries were an indispensable weapon of war both in Africa and abroad. In Africa, the weapon found particular use among Nguni peoples. Among the Zulu people they are known as iwisa. The iwisa was not typically used in combat – though they were occasionally used as thrown weapons in place of the throwing spear or isijula. Instead, the Zulu used iwisa as swagger sticks, ceremonial objects, or even as snuff containers. In the 20th century, the Zulu nationalist movement Inkatha viewed iwisa as traditional weapons and lobbied for the right to carry such weapons in public. During the Apartheid era in South Africa, they were often carried and used by protesters and sometimes by the police opposing them. Knobkerries are still widely carried, especially in rural areas, while in times of peace it serves as a walking-stick, sometimes ornamental. Knobkerries commonly feature on national and other symbols in Southern Africa.
  
  Provenance: ex Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #163915

  Condition

  Noticeable linear fissures scattered along the knob. Patina is lustrous with rich pockets of caramel inclusions in the knob. Near-choice condition.
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