KNOBKIERIE; the name derives from the African/Dutch word knop (meaning knot or ball) and the Nama (one of the Khoekhoe languages) word Kierie which means cane or walking stick Famous and redoubtable weapon of the South African Zulu and Xhosa tribes It was used as a throwing weapon during hunting and as a melee weapon used in hand - to - hand combat Usually the Knobkierie consists of a stem ending in a round sphere - much rarer is the one offered here where the stem ends in an a-symmetric placed sphere which has which ends pointed to the side This very early authentic knobkierie has a beautiful deep brown, almost black patina, which in the knot becomes a black crusty patina which seems to be residual dried blood Early 20th century or older - with professional base/pedestal which is a heavy metal plate Imposing height of 49.5 cm - see photograph with bottle of wine to compare (bottle is for personal use-is not included Rare top object! Provenance: Renowned Dutch collection (coll. J. Leewering - Officer Dutch Navy1930 - 1961)