Two interesting wooden spears...from where??

[colin henshaw]

Hi

Would be interested to see more images of the spear with the barbed head, including full-length.... Australian Aboriginal is a possibility, but could be from elsewhere.

[fearn]

On the barbed one, I keep finding myself thinking "It's from Touristania." That's an uncharitable thought and I hope a wrong one. The issue is that I can't figure out what they were going to use those big huge barbs for, wherever it was made. Unless there's evidence that it was deliberately blunted...

F

[VANDOO]

THERE ARE TWO SPEARS I HAVE PICTURES OF THAT RESEMBLE THIS FORM OF BARBED SPEAR A LITTLE. NO DOUBT THERE ARE OTHER SIMULAR EXAMPLES FROM VARIOUS OTHER PLACES.
THE SINGLE SPEAR WITH STEEL TIP IS IDENTIFIED AS ,ENGGANO ISLAND OFF OF SUMATRA.
THE SECOND POSSIBILITY IS IN A GROUP OF SPEARS SAID TO BE FROM LUZON, PHILIPPINES I DON'T KNOW IF THE TIP IS WOOD OR METAL.
NEITHER OF YOUR SPEARS STRIKE ME AS MADE FOR TOURISTS. I LIKE THEM BOTH.

[Nonoy Tan]

Not Philippines.

[Andy Stevens]

Colin: We are trying to get some better pictures sorted out today including full length shots and close ups of the barbs.

Fearn: At first glance we too thought it could be a tourist item but once in the hand and given a better look see, our opinion changed. It feels right, but like you point out its purpose is rather obscure-perhaps a dance spear, could be funky in the right disco light!

Vandoo: Thanks for the pics, very nice and interesting grouping and some are indeed similar in design.

Does anybody recognise the wood used? The dark pattern in the grain is rather attractive and the wood is pretty strong, capable of use. The search continues.......

A&K

[Andy Stevens]

Here are some more pics of the spear!