3391

Aboriginal Pineapple Pandanus Head Battle Club

Central Queensland, Australia
early 20th century

length: 72.5cm, weight: 541g

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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.

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