Materials

Made of a lightweight wood, decorated with two small metal studs, possibly brass. A piece of hide thong is tied to the bottom of the club's handle.

Techniques or Format

Carved and incised.

Motifs and Patterns

The ball has been carved to resemble an animal head, but has been worn away. Its eyes are made from a metal stud of some kind. Another brass tack is found on the head, to the right of the eye. A scalloped line runs along the back of the shaft. Each of the 14 scallops has a small carved hole in its centre. There are four additional scallops at the top of the club. The handle's base is carved to resemble a a deer's foot.

Dimensions: 60.5 × 0 × 0 cm

Condition: Wood worm or other damage. Beak or nose of ball is broken off.

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

RP says it looks old - the wood has a patina.

Current Location: British Museum, London, UK

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Am1949,22.147

Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1949

Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Mrs. D K Oldman

Collection Narratives and Histories

Collected by Worden Hall and purchased by the British Museum from Mrs. D K Oldman in 1949.

Related language items in the GKS: baagndibe'gan bkwaakdo-bgamaagan

GKS Reference Number: 26889

How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, club. Currently in the British Museum, Am1949,22.147. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 26889.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures (GRASAC) research trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum and British Museum, December 8-22 2007, funded by a grant from the International Opportunities fund of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Researchers present: Heidi Bohaker (HB), John Borrows (JB), Lindsay Borrows (LB), Darlene Johnston (DJ), Stacey Loyer (SL), Janis Monture (JM), Bruce Morito (BM), Ruth Phillips (RP), Cory Willmott (CW).