2 African spears for ID please

Tim Simmons · 4th July 2010, 09:10 PM

Nice spears David. They could be Hausa. I am not sure. They could also be from Central Africa as in the South Sudan. The one without a central ridge I could easily say Hausa but not so much so with the other. I myself associate the central ridge with a more easterly orign. One thing is that your spears do have a wider shoe {butt end} which does seem to be a more westerly thing. Anyway here is a picture of something similar I have. Perhaps a little longer, the white stick is 48 inches or 122cm long. They do appear a little crude for hausa work?

katana · 5th July 2010, 12:32 AM

Hi Tim,
thanks for the info

and pics (very nice example).

You have reminded me that I have not included measurements

.

The spear with the spiral decoration is 183 cms long (72 inches), the other is 180 cms (approx. 71 inches).

Regards David

PS Tim do you think your spear was a status object. It is quite large (heavy) for a javelin type 'thrower' so perhaps functioned similar to a pike, or a lance from horse/camel back.

katana · 9th July 2010, 06:55 PM

Cleaned most of the black/rust layer to show the spiralling better (personally I would have been more cautious about removing so much patina.....but the previous over-zealous, partial, clean forced my hand)

Regards David

.

4th July 2010, 09:10 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,940	Nice spears David. They could be Hausa. I am not sure. They could also be from Central Africa as in the South Sudan. The one without a central ridge I could easily say Hausa but not so much so with the other. I myself associate the central ridge with a more easterly orign. One thing is that your spears do have a wider shoe {butt end} which does seem to be a more westerly thing. Anyway here is a picture of something similar I have. Perhaps a little longer, the white stick is 48 inches or 122cm long. They do appear a little crude for hausa work? Attached Images

9th July 2010, 06:55 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Cleaned most of the black/rust layer to show the spiralling better (personally I would have been more cautious about removing so much patina.....but the previous over-zealous, partial, clean forced my hand) Regards David . Attached Images

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5th July 2010, 12:32 AM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, thanks for the info and pics (very nice example). You have reminded me that I have not included measurements . The spear with the spiral decoration is 183 cms long (72 inches), the other is 180 cms (approx. 71 inches). Regards David PS Tim do you think your spear was a status object. It is quite large (heavy) for a javelin type 'thrower' so perhaps functioned similar to a pike, or a lance from horse/camel back.