Three Spear Heads

RAMBA · 26th April 2019, 11:55 AM

Hello - my first post here but i'm quite active on Kukri collecting sites with antique kukri collecting being my main focus. I have branched out a bit and recently obtained a few items from a local auction.

I have three antique spear heads and I believe two are from Indian. One possibly early Cambodian, Khmer.

I have spent some time reading and have found that the broad triangular tipped one is identical to a spear head in lord Egerton's book fig 19 (image attached) that is from Cachar in Assam and is likely from the Kukis People 19th C.

The very long spear with square point rounded tip is possibly from southern India. It is similar to a spear head again in Egerton's book fig 17 identified as being a Sangu spear head from Viziamagram. 19th C.

The smallest looks to be more primitive and made of iron. It was described as Persian in the auction. A near identical item is described as Cambodian 13th -14th C Khmer in Antique Swords and Daggers by Mircea Veleanu.

Any ideas/corrections welcome.

RAMBA · 27th April 2019, 12:01 AM

Here is the comparison photo for the possible Cambodian Khmer spear head.

Timo Nieminen · 27th April 2019, 04:24 PM

The long slender one looks like an East African spear butt (as used by the Maasai and nearby peoples). For some examples of such butts, see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21630 and http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3840

I wonder if the spade-shaped one is also a butt. Veleanu's book has mis-identifications aplenty. In particular, the double-page spread that supposedly-Khmer spade-shaped appears on also has 4 late Qing spears described as 12th-14th century Cambodian spears, so I don't have much confidence in the spade-shaped one being Cambodian.

As for the last one, the one that is definitely a spearhead, it could well be from Assam. Spearheads of similar profile are made in the Congo basin, but the transition between head and socket is different. I've not had a close look at an Assamese spear, but I think it's more likely than Congo.

RAMBA · 27th April 2019, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timo Nieminen

The long slender one looks like an East African spear butt (as used by the Maasai and nearby peoples). For some examples of such butts, see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21630 and http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3840

I wonder if the spade-shaped one is also a butt. Veleanu's book has mis-identifications aplenty. In particular, the double-page spread that supposedly-Khmer spade-shaped appears on also has 4 late Qing spears described as 12th-14th century Cambodian spears, so I don't have much confidence in the spade-shaped one being Cambodian.

As for the last one, the one that is definitely a spearhead, it could well be from Assam. Spearheads of similar profile are made in the Congo basin, but the transition between head and socket is different. I've not had a close look at an Assamese spear, but I think it's more likely than Congo.

Hi Timo

Thanks for the reply and I had considered a spear butt for the spade shaped one and yes that book has lots of errors. Not so much the long square one but can see your point with the East African spears. I think the one last one is most likely Assam.

RAMBA · 29th June 2019, 12:55 AM

I found some photos of a lot of spears which I think are African. Well the Iron piece is a spear butt. Not Cambodian. It is identical and on the base of the circled spear. I think the other long thin one is a spear butt too.

26th April 2019, 11:55 AM	#1
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 100	Three Spear Heads Hello - my first post here but i'm quite active on Kukri collecting sites with antique kukri collecting being my main focus. I have branched out a bit and recently obtained a few items from a local auction. I have three antique spear heads and I believe two are from Indian. One possibly early Cambodian, Khmer. I have spent some time reading and have found that the broad triangular tipped one is identical to a spear head in lord Egerton's book fig 19 (image attached) that is from Cachar in Assam and is likely from the Kukis People 19th C. The very long spear with square point rounded tip is possibly from southern India. It is similar to a spear head again in Egerton's book fig 17 identified as being a Sangu spear head from Viziamagram. 19th C. The smallest looks to be more primitive and made of iron. It was described as Persian in the auction. A near identical item is described as Cambodian 13th -14th C Khmer in Antique Swords and Daggers by Mircea Veleanu. Any ideas/corrections welcome. Attached Images

27th April 2019, 12:01 AM	#2
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 100	Additional Photo Here is the comparison photo for the possible Cambodian Khmer spear head. Attached Images

29th June 2019, 12:55 AM	#5
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 100	Yes looks like spear butt I found some photos of a lot of spears which I think are African. Well the Iron piece is a spear butt. Not Cambodian. It is identical and on the base of the circled spear. I think the other long thin one is a spear butt too. Attached Images

27th April 2019, 04:24 PM	#3
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	The long slender one looks like an East African spear butt (as used by the Maasai and nearby peoples). For some examples of such butts, see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21630 and http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3840 I wonder if the spade-shaped one is also a butt. Veleanu's book has mis-identifications aplenty. In particular, the double-page spread that supposedly-Khmer spade-shaped appears on also has 4 late Qing spears described as 12th-14th century Cambodian spears, so I don't have much confidence in the spade-shaped one being Cambodian. As for the last one, the one that is definitely a spearhead, it could well be from Assam. Spearheads of similar profile are made in the Congo basin, but the transition between head and socket is different. I've not had a close look at an Assamese spear, but I think it's more likely than Congo.