Africa, Southern Africa, Kingdom of Eswatini, Swazi-style maker / 1800s–1900s
Club (Knobkerrie)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Club (Knobkerrie) as arms and armor (Africa, Southern Africa, Kingdom of Eswatini, Swazi-style maker · 1800s–1900s).
The term knobkerrie refers to a characteristic spherical knob of wood or head atop a cylindrical shaft.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this arms and armor as Wood.
The museum's collection notes: Relatively short sticks historically used for hunting and fighting are customarily called knobkerries. A combination of Afrikaans and Shona words, the name refers to the characteristic spherical knob of wood (knop) or head atop a cylindrical shaft ( kirri ). The knobs on these were carved into a tight whorl and a compressed sphere with a central rib. Even though their basic shapes were derived from real weapons, many of these precious objects were rarely if ever used as such. Highly personal, they instead functioned as ceremonial display items or regalia, symbolizing the masculinity and prowess of their owner.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtClub (Knobkerrie)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.