African Stabbing Spear or Someone's Garage Project ?

drac2k · 5th November 2019, 10:25 PM

I just acquired this item at auction. The shaft and the heavy head I believe to be authentic as I do the spearhead, however, I'm pretty sure(but not positive), that they don't' belong together. The only reason why I'm not absolutely sure that this is not a fantasy piece is that I was unable to separate the spearhead from the shaft (using reasonable force), and the fact that the tapered shaft that goes into the spearhead doesn't look to have been freshly whittled down;there is the same patina throughout.
If anyone can identify the club or the spearhead, I would appreciate it.

Kubur · 6th November 2019, 12:15 AM

The head is similar to kota or bakota ancestor figure from Gabon.

I have no idea if these figures were connected to spears or not.
Your case is very similar to the one discussed with the Indian sword.
Either it is a combination of two old and geniune objects to sell to European market
or it is a real African object used by local people.
In both cases, Indian and African, the only way to know is to find other examples or parallels.
If they exist then your spear is fine if not... well i don't believe in uniqueness...

drac2k · 6th November 2019, 01:45 AM

That is my feeling as well.

5th November 2019, 10:25 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	African Stabbing Spear or Someone's Garage Project ? I just acquired this item at auction. The shaft and the heavy head I believe to be authentic as I do the spearhead, however, I'm pretty sure(but not positive), that they don't' belong together. The only reason why I'm not absolutely sure that this is not a fantasy piece is that I was unable to separate the spearhead from the shaft (using reasonable force), and the fact that the tapered shaft that goes into the spearhead doesn't look to have been freshly whittled down;there is the same patina throughout. If anyone can identify the club or the spearhead, I would appreciate it. Attached Images

6th November 2019, 12:15 AM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	The head is similar to kota or bakota ancestor figure from Gabon. I have no idea if these figures were connected to spears or not. Your case is very similar to the one discussed with the Indian sword. Either it is a combination of two old and geniune objects to sell to European market or it is a real African object used by local people. In both cases, Indian and African, the only way to know is to find other examples or parallels. If they exist then your spear is fine if not... well i don't believe in uniqueness...

6th November 2019, 01:45 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	That is my feeling as well.