EBAY TWO SPEARS FORMOSA?

yuanzhumin · 1st August 2007, 02:42 AM

You are 100% right, Vandoo.
I didn't check the other Ebay pictures when I wrote the previous post. Now, you show us the snake, I'm positive : these two spears are from Taiwan.
I've seen quite a few times before this particular snake pattern, exactly the same, on souvenirs made for American soldiers stationed here in the 50's.
These spears are supposed to be from the Paiwan group, but they were mostly done in suburbs workshops, not even by aboriginal people. The quality of the carving is very poor and the patterns are the result of a fusion style inspired, yes, by the traditional Paiwan style, but that is only a pale reflect of it.
What is funny this time is the variation in the shape of the blades. These blades are a copy of Taoist ceremonial spear blades that are still in use today during popular religious festivals here, mostly when there is the procession of the Eight Generals.
On the picture shown here after, you can see few of the 8 Generals holding their ceremonial weapons to fight evil. One has a spear whose balde is in the same style as the Ebay ones. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dans180/502845476/
Very often, the actors incarnating the Generals are in trance during the parade. Very impressive to see in reality.
Nicolas

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1st August 2007, 02:42 AM	#6
yuanzhumin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ex-Taipei, Taiwan, now in Shanghai, China Posts: 180	You are 100% right, Vandoo. I didn't check the other Ebay pictures when I wrote the previous post. Now, you show us the snake, I'm positive : these two spears are from Taiwan. I've seen quite a few times before this particular snake pattern, exactly the same, on souvenirs made for American soldiers stationed here in the 50's. These spears are supposed to be from the Paiwan group, but they were mostly done in suburbs workshops, not even by aboriginal people. The quality of the carving is very poor and the patterns are the result of a fusion style inspired, yes, by the traditional Paiwan style, but that is only a pale reflect of it. What is funny this time is the variation in the shape of the blades. These blades are a copy of Taoist ceremonial spear blades that are still in use today during popular religious festivals here, mostly when there is the procession of the Eight Generals. On the picture shown here after, you can see few of the 8 Generals holding their ceremonial weapons to fight evil. One has a spear whose balde is in the same style as the Ebay ones. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dans180/502845476/ Very often, the actors incarnating the Generals are in trance during the parade. Very impressive to see in reality. Nicolas