Shilluk club

Shilluk club
Other views of this artifact:


Accession Number:
1966.1.214
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Southern Sudan]
Cultural Group:
Shilluk
Date Made:
By 1926
Materials:
Wood Plant
Process:
Carved , Stained , Polished , Grooved , Incised , Decorated Knotted Tied
Dimensions:
L = 732 mm, max diam = 42 x 41 mm; suspension loop W = 4 to 5, th = 0.8 mm; hide grip L = 55 mm [RTS 10/5/2005].
Weight:
960.1 g
Other Owners:
Ipswich Museum (acquired by 1926 according to their accession number) [RTS 10/5/2005].
PRM Source:
Ipswich Museum per Patricia M. Butler
Acquired:
Purchased 1966
Collected Date:
By 1926
Description:
Club carved from a single piece of wood, with pointed head tapering out to a narrow oval-sectioned body that reaches its maximum diameter about one third the way along its length, with the shaft then tapering in to a flat ended butt. The lower part of the club has been decorated with a series of parallel v-shaped grooves running down the length. A narrow strip of reptile skin has been wound once around the body at the base of this section, knotted in place then the ends tied to form a small carrying or suspension loop, now broken. A small piece of wood has been jammed between the strip and club body, probably to prevent the loop slipping. Below this, the grip has been covered with two cylindrical sheaths of animal hide, one fitted directly on top of the other. These have no seams and have been cut from a length of animal tail, probably fitted onto the handle when wet and shrunken in place. The lower sheath has traces of animal hair still visible on the surface; the upper sheath is a yellowish brown colour (Pantone 7510C), largely discoloured a darker brown, while the wood has been stained a reddish brown colour (Pantone 4625C) and then polished. The club is complete, but has some damage at the head including a small crack. It has a weight of 960.1 grams and is 732 mm long, with a maximum diameter of 42 by 41 mm; the suspension loop has been made from a strip of skin 4 to 5 mm wide and 0.8 mm thick, while the hide grip is 55 mm long.

This was acquired by the Ipswich Museum by 1926, and purchased by the Pitt Rivers Museum in 1966.

For an ebony club of similar form and grooved handle, see 1903.16.118; this is also said to be Shilluk.

Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.

Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry [XX] [facing p. 1] - Collection 1966.1 is Ipswich ethnography; see special volumes XVA and XVB [JC 27/6/2001].

Accession Book Entry [Ipswich ethnography XVA] [p. 2] 1966.1[1-] P[urchased] Ethnological Collection; IPSWICH MUSEUM per Miss PATRICIA M. BUTLER, M.A. F.M.A. Curator. [p. 61] 1966.1.214 E. AFRICA, SUDAN, SHILLUK. Wooden club. Single piece of wood gradually swelling above handle and then narrowing to a point at the distal end. Incisions decorate near handle which is leather covered with a small loop. (L1926.3.9) Length 73.4 cm.

Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes or clubs catalogue cards [RTS 23/7/2004].

Pitt Rivers Museum label - AFRICA, Sudan. Shilluk tribe. Wooden club with grooved body and hide grip. Purchased from Ipswich Museum (L.1926.3.9) [plastic coated label, tied to object; RTS 10/5/2005].

Written on object -1966.1.214 SHILLUK [white ink], SHILLUK SUDAN [black ink]; L.1926.3.9 [black ink; RTS 6/4/2005].



 
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