Aboriginal Pineapple Pandanus Head Battle Club
Central Queensland, Australia
early 20th century
length: 72.5cm, weight: 541g
Provenance
UK art market
This Aboriginal club, carved from a single piece of dense hardwood, comes from the tribal groups of central Queensland, around the present-day Rockhampton region.
The head is of pineapple pandanus form, being similar in form to the fruit of a type of coastal palm in the area.
The long, tapering shaft is fluted along its entire length.
The handle-end has been slashed repeatedly to allow better grip. The handle-end has been sharpened, and the club end comes to a smooth point.
Related clubs are illustrated in Petty (2009).
There are some age-related splits here and there but all are stable. The club has a warm patina.
The club was acquired in the UK and almost certainly has been in the UK since colonial times.
References
Petty, D., The Art of Eastern Australia: Fine Aboriginal Weapons & Artefacts, Graphic Solutions, 2009.