Zulu War Club – 19th Century

DESCRIPTION/EXPERTISE
A late 19th century Zulu War Club known as a Knobkierie made from the wood of a Root ball or wad and carried by during Zulu warriors perhaps during the famous Zulu wars with the British Empire in 1879 in South Africa and after.

Almost certainly brought back by a serving soldier as a “War Souvenir” this war club is not an after market tourist item. Made from the hard wood of a root ball of a tree with the shaft carved from just one limb, this is a fierce weapon indeed. An age split through part of the rear of the “ball” and projecting partway down the shaft confirms that this indeed was made from one piece of wood and is not only an original war club but it is of considerable age.

A telltale sign of the after market tourist examples are that they are always made from a ball of wood with a separate shaft attached.

A truly genuine Zulu Knobkierie with original patina that was almost certainly a British Soldier’s War Trophy.

MEDIUM
Wood – carved

SIZE
55cm high – Ø 6,5cm

PROVENANCE
Private Belgian collection

PRICE
€ 450

Expertly mounted
All dimensions are without the mounting