Description:

Australia, Western Desert to Central Australia, Aboriginal peoples, ca. 19th century CE. An early and rare example of a wooden club and digging tool made from mulga wood - a type of acacia. The club has a broad, flattened body, with one edge thinner than the other, and then tapers along the grain of the wood to a narrow grip that ends in a rough point. The shape of the club is in harmony with the color of the wood, with the sharpest edge the lightest part. Size: 11.6" L x 3.25" W (29.5 cm x 8.3 cm)

In arid Western and Central Australia, Aboriginal peoples made tools from mulga, dogwood wattle, and waddy-wood. These high-density woods were chosen for their hardness and heavy weight, which increased the physical power of the object. This type of club, sometimes known as a waddy, were made by both men and women and were used in hand-to-hand combat and for stunning or killing prey in the bush. Further uses included as projectiles and fuel sources. A fine example of a versatile weapon well-suited to its environment.

Provenance: Ex-New Jersey Collection

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#120070

  • Condition: Light patina from handling; one side has several shallow cracks along the grain of the wood.

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February 9, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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