Spearpoint of unknown origin

Pieje · 22nd June 2012, 06:53 PM

Hi forum,

I found this iron spear point between objects from Congo (acquired before 1940). It has most likely nothing to do with Congo or even Africa

.
It measures 55 cm.

Anyone has seen this before?

Atlantia · 22nd June 2012, 07:41 PM

Looks Indian to me.

Ronald · 22nd June 2012, 08:17 PM

Hello Pieje,

Your spear head is a so-called "Sinan" (not to bre confused with "Sipar", the Persian metall shield!) from Persia. I guess, it is from the late 18th or early 19th century. The material could be Jauhar. Characteristic is itss elegant shape, the decoratevely shaped root of the blade and the missing of a median ridge, in contrary to certain Indian spears. The chisseled snake can be often found on Persian arms, for example on Qama-blades. In my collection there is a Persian spear head from the times of shah Abbas the Great. It has two blades which are decorated with chisseled fishes. Between head and body there are two very fine engraved lines. That means that the fishes are dead. Therefore it was no problem to depict them (think of the prohibition to depict any creature in Islamic art), especially in times of the ultra religious shah Abbas.

Kind regards,

Ronald

Pieje · 22nd June 2012, 11:44 PM

Thanks Ronald!
I didn't spot any engraved lines between head and body, only some dotted lines on the shaft.
It's not a single piece of metal, the blade is fixed in that decoratively shaped base, hold by those 3 "screws" you can see.
Late 18th or early 19th century? That's really old if you only collect Congo material...

weapons 27 · 23rd June 2012, 07:02 AM

your spear point is Indian, without problems

Pieje · 23rd June 2012, 04:19 PM

Thanks.
Indo-Persian perhaps?

India is large, can you be more specific?

22nd June 2012, 06:53 PM	#1
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Spearpoint of unknown origin Hi forum, I found this iron spear point between objects from Congo (acquired before 1940). It has most likely nothing to do with Congo or even Africa . It measures 55 cm. Anyone has seen this before? Attached Images

22nd June 2012, 08:17 PM	#3
Ronald Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Heidelberg/Germany Posts: 9	Persian Spear Head Hello Pieje, Your spear head is a so-called "Sinan" (not to bre confused with "Sipar", the Persian metall shield!) from Persia. I guess, it is from the late 18th or early 19th century. The material could be Jauhar. Characteristic is itss elegant shape, the decoratevely shaped root of the blade and the missing of a median ridge, in contrary to certain Indian spears. The chisseled snake can be often found on Persian arms, for example on Qama-blades. In my collection there is a Persian spear head from the times of shah Abbas the Great. It has two blades which are decorated with chisseled fishes. Between head and body there are two very fine engraved lines. That means that the fishes are dead. Therefore it was no problem to depict them (think of the prohibition to depict any creature in Islamic art), especially in times of the ultra religious shah Abbas. Kind regards, Ronald

22nd June 2012, 07:41 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Looks Indian to me.

22nd June 2012, 11:44 PM	#4
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Thanks Ronald! I didn't spot any engraved lines between head and body, only some dotted lines on the shaft. It's not a single piece of metal, the blade is fixed in that decoratively shaped base, hold by those 3 "screws" you can see. Late 18th or early 19th century? That's really old if you only collect Congo material...

23rd June 2012, 07:02 AM	#5
weapons 27 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 462	your spear point is Indian, without problems

23rd June 2012, 04:19 PM	#6
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Thanks. Indo-Persian perhaps? India is large, can you be more specific?