Dual Coloured 19th Century Zulu Knobkierrie with Globular Head

Here we have a fine dual coloured iron wood Zulu knobkierrie from the 19th century with a globular head and cylindrical shaft.

~ Dimensions ~

The knobkierrie is 33 inches (84 cm) long. Of this length 30.70 inches (78 cm) is made up of the shaft. The diameter of the globular top is 2.75 inches (7 cm).

The club weighs 530 g.

~ Condition ~

The club is in good condition.

The globe has light surface cracks and signs of usage. There are few chips on one side, as can be seen in the pictures.

There are a number of thin splits in the wood but this appears to run with the grain as a natural defect in the wood rather than damage acquired from use.

The club has a nice smooth finish with a light varnish.

~ Knobkierrie’s ~

Knobkierrie’s are African clubs used mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. Typically they have a large knob at one end and can be used for throwing at animals in hunting or for clubbing an enemy’s head. The knob is usually carved out of a treetrunk and the shaft is simply the branch that protruded from the tree at that point. The name derives from the Afrikaans word knop, meaning knot or ball and the word kierie, meaning cane or walking stick. The name has been extended to similar weapons used by the natives of Australia, the Pacific islands and other places. Knobkierries were an indispensable weapon of war, particularly among southern Nguni tribes such as the Zulu and the Xhosa.

ref. GS6074D07 / ASIGX04K33LP6