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Club

mid-19th–early 20th century
Not on view
Aboriginal peoples in southeastern Australia formerly created two principal types of clubs: large heavy varieties, used for hand-to-hand combat, and smaller, lightweight throwing clubs, such as the present work, which were employed in both warfare and hunting. Throwing clubs were projectile weapons hurled at human enemies or game from a distance to strike an incapacitating blow. Like many southeastern clubs, this work has a pointed, bulbous head intended to deliver a powerful blow to the target. The shaft and head are adorned with incised diamond-shaped motifs. These might have been purely decorative, but, like many geometric designs in Aboriginal art, possibly had deeper significance.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Club
  • Date: mid-19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: Australia, Southeast Australia, Western Australia
  • Culture: Southeast Australia
  • Medium: Wood
  • Dimensions: H. x Diam.: 25 5/8 x 2 1/2 in. (65.1 x 6.4 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Implements
  • Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Klejman, 1965
  • Object Number: 1978.412.870
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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