Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


211 - Australian Aboriginal Throwing Stick, late 19th Century

This stick has been formed of dark brown wood and is 26¼ inches (66.5 cm) long. Both ends taper slightly, the tip end more so than the handle end that also shows very light circumferential scratching. As shown in the pictures, the stick is very slightly bowed. The cross section in the central portion is elliptical (2.6 by 2.2 cm) and the central portion is decorated with closely packed narrow and shallow longitudinal flutings suggesting a Western Australian origin. Scattered non-distracting dings and scratches are present, especially at the tip, but the patina remains attractive. Lew dated this as circa 1880 to 1890. The weight is 11½ ounces (333 grams).


Australian Aboriginal Throwing Stick

Australian Aboriginal Throwing Stick



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