Indonesian/Indian Ankus or Spearhead?

ArmsAndAntiques · 31st August 2017, 08:51 PM

Apologies for the possible mis-directed post, but I'd like to learn more about this style of spearhead.

The first image is from a book published in 1993 of the Moscow State Historical Museum collection where it is described as an Indian Ankus, 19th c. The collection was put together decades ago so I'm fairly certain the item is old, but Indian... My feeling is that it is Indonesian.

Then looking through Holstein you find again a similar style of spearhead/ankus (?) grouped with other ankuses... It's a bit difficult to determine where in the text it is referenced but I'd be interested in the forum perspective on this kind of spear/ankus. Of course, the Moscow State museum description could be pulling from Holstein but it's barely referenced so no way to tell why they ascribed it to India, unless it was acquired there in the 19th C.

Indonesian or Indian? Age? Perhaps nomenclature if known?

Timo Nieminen · 1st September 2017, 12:39 AM

Looks much more like a mak than an ankus to me. A spear-mak hybrid rather than the usual single-edged blade. Might be a nice weapon to play with: better cutting than a normal spear, and the ability to trap/hook that you get with a winged spear.

Having neither an elephant nor one of these, I can't try one out as an ankus. In the absence of experiment, all I can say is that it looks so completely un-ankus-like that I cannot seriously consider it as a type of ankus.

A. G. Maisey · 2nd September 2017, 02:48 AM

The item with the bird base blade is stylistically Javanese and very probably of Javanese origin, I've got some pics of similar things somewhere, but I can't remember which book, if I can find them, I'll post them. In any case, it is a tombak, a spear, in this case, ornamental/ceremonial.

The other item with the human/beast style base has a vague hint of Jawa, but I'd need to handle it before I could decide on whether it was likely to be Javanese craftsmanship or not. If it is Javanese it was most likely intended for use as a finial, probably above a banner.

Henk · 2nd September 2017, 10:52 AM

Alan is completely right.I also have a book with pictures of similar tombak.

ArmsAndAntiques · 2nd September 2017, 03:12 PM

Thanks all for the knowledgeable response. Does anyone have the reference to the book mentioned?

Interestingly in Hales (2013) there are also two spearheads with the blades coming out of the head of the bird. Though they appear to be of simpler and earlier construction.

What would these have been used for? I.E. what kind of ceremonial use would a spear like this be username in?

kronckew · 2nd September 2017, 08:02 PM

i vote for the Mak!

rather odd weapons with the edge on the 'wrong' side. double edged version would work tho.

31st August 2017, 08:51 PM	#1
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	Indonesian/Indian Ankus or Spearhead? Apologies for the possible mis-directed post, but I'd like to learn more about this style of spearhead. The first image is from a book published in 1993 of the Moscow State Historical Museum collection where it is described as an Indian Ankus, 19th c. The collection was put together decades ago so I'm fairly certain the item is old, but Indian... My feeling is that it is Indonesian. Then looking through Holstein you find again a similar style of spearhead/ankus (?) grouped with other ankuses... It's a bit difficult to determine where in the text it is referenced but I'd be interested in the forum perspective on this kind of spear/ankus. Of course, the Moscow State museum description could be pulling from Holstein but it's barely referenced so no way to tell why they ascribed it to India, unless it was acquired there in the 19th C. Indonesian or Indian? Age? Perhaps nomenclature if known? Attached Images

2nd September 2017, 08:02 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	i vote for the Mak! rather odd weapons with the edge on the 'wrong' side. double edged version would work tho. Attached Images

1st September 2017, 12:39 AM	#2
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Looks much more like a mak than an ankus to me. A spear-mak hybrid rather than the usual single-edged blade. Might be a nice weapon to play with: better cutting than a normal spear, and the ability to trap/hook that you get with a winged spear. Having neither an elephant nor one of these, I can't try one out as an ankus. In the absence of experiment, all I can say is that it looks so completely un-ankus-like that I cannot seriously consider it as a type of ankus.

2nd September 2017, 02:48 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	The item with the bird base blade is stylistically Javanese and very probably of Javanese origin, I've got some pics of similar things somewhere, but I can't remember which book, if I can find them, I'll post them. In any case, it is a tombak, a spear, in this case, ornamental/ceremonial. The other item with the human/beast style base has a vague hint of Jawa, but I'd need to handle it before I could decide on whether it was likely to be Javanese craftsmanship or not. If it is Javanese it was most likely intended for use as a finial, probably above a banner.

2nd September 2017, 10:52 AM	#4
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Alan is completely right.I also have a book with pictures of similar tombak.

2nd September 2017, 03:12 PM	#5
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	Thanks all for the knowledgeable response. Does anyone have the reference to the book mentioned? Interestingly in Hales (2013) there are also two spearheads with the blades coming out of the head of the bird. Though they appear to be of simpler and earlier construction. What would these have been used for? I.E. what kind of ceremonial use would a spear like this be username in?