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Published 15th December 2010
Exotic Treasures
A ‘knobkerrie’ is a weapon in the shape of a club used mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. Comprising a shaft with a large knob at one end, they are designed to be thrown at or clonking animals, (and humans) on the head. The name derives from the Afrikaans word ‘knop’ and ‘kierie’ meaning cane. The weapons are also used by native tribes in Australia, the pacific Islands and elsewhere. They were a particularly important asset to the Nguni tribes such as the Zulu and Xhosa.
Knobkerries are highly collectable today with collectors paying many thousands of pounds to acquire them. The last example sold in Lichfield realised in excess of £5k. The general term ‘tribal art’ encompasses any artefact that has tribal associations. These could include sculptures, spears, masks, pottery, shields, bronze and much more.
Richard Winterton Auctioneers of Lichfield will be holding a specialist sale in March of tribal art. Already consigned from a Lichfield source is a collection of tribal artefacts, these include two Baga, Guinea Bissau carved wooden birds, African figures and a Benin bronzed head pierced to take a headdress.
The sale will also include Asian & Russian works of art such as oriental ceramics, antique ivory, shibayama, inro, cloisonné, jade, bronze, silver, Japanese swords and prints.
The market fro Asian works of art is booming, a point illustrated by the £50million Chinese vase which broke all auction records this year. Asian art has been performing particularly well this year at the Lichfield Auctioneers with some exceptional prices being achieved such as the jade belt hook discovered in a Tamworth property at over £2k and an ivory carving of an archer totalling £2k.
Contact Richard Winterton Auctioneers for further details regarding consignments on 01543 251081 or email lichfield@richardwinterton.co.uk
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