Posted 4 years ago
RRP
(24 items)
Interesting item I picked up years ago at an estate. It is too long for a cane but at 42.25" it's a bit short for a hiking stick.
I always understood it was a 'talking' stick. If you were in the long-house & had the stick you had the floor & the right to talk.
After a hip op, I have been using it now for a couple months and it gets conversations going every time I take it out,
Within 2 hours on Friday for example, it started 4 conversations! I guess it really is a 'talking' stick.
There must be some significance to the person squatting on top of that pedestal or whatever is coming out of the snake's mouth...
Some say African, South or Central America, a couple say Asian - Oh yes and another said maybe Australian Aborigine in origin.
I thought North American because of the diamond shaped patterns on the snake so I was thinking Rattle snake..
I think that just about covers the world... Any ideas??
Hi - although I can't see the detail that well, I believe the head is carved in the form of a squatting man - this suggests SE Asian origin, specifically Ifugao - Philippines. Perhaps if you Google "Ifugao staff" you will see something similar. In any case, very nice!
I have one that is very similar. I got it from a shop that specialized in African crafts. The shop was actually going out of business when I added it to my cane/staff collection, so I can't get their opinion on yours. That was a good ten years ago. Might even have been 20 years ago.
There must be another like it out there somewhere?
Thanks finders9 & kwqd for your ideas. I'm still hoping for more info...