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Source Description
Relatively short sticks historically used for hunting and fighting are customarily called knobkerries. A combination of Afrikaans and Shona words, the name refers to the characteristic spherical knob of wood (knop) or head atop a cylindrical shaft (<em>kirri</em>). The knobs on these were carved into a tight whorl and a compressed sphere with a central rib. Even though their basic shapes were derived from real weapons, many of these precious objects were rarely if ever used as such. Highly personal, they instead functioned as ceremonial display items or regalia, symbolizing the masculinity and prowess of their owner.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
168480
label
Club (Knobkerrie)
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
168480
contentType
object
title
Club (Knobkerrie)
description
Relatively short sticks historically used for hunting and fighting are customarily called knobkerries. A combination of Afrikaans and Shona words, the name refers to the characteristic spherical knob of wood (knop) or head atop a cylindrical shaft (<em>kirri</em>). The knobs on these were carved into a tight whorl and a compressed sphere with a central rib. Even though their basic shapes were derived from real weapons, many of these precious objects were rarely if ever used as such. Highly personal, they instead functioned as ceremonial display items or regalia, symbolizing the masculinity and prowess of their owner.
date
late 1800s or early 1900s
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q60778413
genreSpecific
Arms and Armor
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 66 cm (26 in.)
cul
Southern Africa, South Africa, Northern Ngun-style or Zulu-style maker
accession
2010.232
Source extras
tec
Wood
tombstone
Club (Knobkerrie), late 1800s or early 1900s. Southern Africa, South Africa, Northern Ngun-style or Zulu-style maker. Wood; overall: 66 cm (26 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Dori and Daniel Rootenberg, Jacaranda Tribal, New York, 2010.232
collection
African Art
didYouKnow
The term <em>knobkerrie</em> refers to a characteristic spherical knob of wood or head atop a cylindrical shaft.
citations
citation
Ginzberg, Marc, and Lynton Gardiner. 2000. <em>African Forms</em>. 1st ed. Milano, Italy, New York: Skira ; Distributed in North America and Latin America by Abbeville Pub. Group, p. 203.
creditline
Gift of Dori and Daniel Rootenberg, Jacaranda Tribal, New York
updatedAt
2026-05-29 08:40:03.667000
sourceId
168480
dept
African Art
coll
African Art
med
Wood
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
4b9bb7a29323367c