AFRICAN ZULU KNOBKERRIE
A knobkerrie, also spelled knobkerrie, knopkierie (Afrikaans), knobkierie or knobkerry, is a form of club 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 knobkerrie is carved from a branch thick enough for the knob, with the rest being whittled down to create the shaft. Knobkerries were used by the Zulu Army of South Africa to great effect when they fought the British in the Zulu Wars.
Measuring 950mm in length this Zulu Knobkerrie is wrapped in gold and silver thread in 5 places and would have belonged to a Zulu Chief or high official, I have seen this before but never in 5 places on the one stick. There is an age crack in the head which can easily be fixed and is commensurate with its age. Great item.