Please help ID these spears

Clubs & Arrows · 3rd September 2010, 03:24 AM

Hi Rick,
Yes the tang is four sided. I've had both Moro and non-Moro opinions on this spear. Does the band of triangles encircling the shaft seem familiar? Any help with this would be appreciated.

Thanks again,
Joe

Rick · 3rd September 2010, 04:37 AM

There are some differences in the tang construction of Javanese spears :
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12310

The square tang is unusual to me; I admit to being puzzled .
I don't believe I've seen a square tang on a Javanese spear; that's not saying much though .

The head is firmly attached to the shaft, and not removable ?

Clubs & Arrows · 3rd September 2010, 03:14 PM

Hi Rick,
I was able to get the head out to photograph the tang. Any ideas on origin?

Thanks,
Joe

Rick · 3rd September 2010, 03:27 PM

I have seen Javanese spears with this blade profile .

What throws me off is from the Methuk to the tang ...

Usually this area shows more work in the completion; usually a flared part above the tang that hides it when mounted on a haft .

Any chance this could be from Nias ?

I sure can't anchor it to one particular area; it has both Indonesian and Moro aspects .

Clubs & Arrows · 3rd September 2010, 03:52 PM

Rick,
When I purchased this from the previous owner's estate, I did also pick up a Nias stool, so it is possible. One of the problems is that when I purchased the spear, it was along with a lot of Philippine, Oceanic, African, and other Southeast Asian material. Kind of an ethnographic mixed bag. I'll certainly start looking towards Nias to see if I can find anything similar.

Thanks again,
Joe

Henk · 4th September 2010, 06:45 AM

I cann't get rid of the idea this one is Phillipine.

Rick · 4th September 2010, 06:52 AM

It's tempting to do so Henk .
Me, I'm just not sure .
The blade looks like it has been ritually washed a few times .
I'm seeing a topographic surface on this blade .

3rd September 2010, 03:24 AM	#1
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Hi Rick, Yes the tang is four sided. I've had both Moro and non-Moro opinions on this spear. Does the band of triangles encircling the shaft seem familiar? Any help with this would be appreciated. Thanks again, Joe Attached Images

3rd September 2010, 03:14 PM	#3
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Hi Rick, I was able to get the head out to photograph the tang. Any ideas on origin? Thanks, Joe Attached Images

3rd September 2010, 03:27 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,341	I have seen Javanese spears with this blade profile . What throws me off is from the Methuk to the tang ... Usually this area shows more work in the completion; usually a flared part above the tang that hides it when mounted on a haft . Any chance this could be from Nias ? I sure can't anchor it to one particular area; it has both Indonesian and Moro aspects . Last edited by Rick; 3rd September 2010 at 03:46 PM.

3rd September 2010, 04:37 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,341	There are some differences in the tang construction of Javanese spears : http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12310 The square tang is unusual to me; I admit to being puzzled . I don't believe I've seen a square tang on a Javanese spear; that's not saying much though . The head is firmly attached to the shaft, and not removable ?

3rd September 2010, 03:52 PM	#5
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Rick, When I purchased this from the previous owner's estate, I did also pick up a Nias stool, so it is possible. One of the problems is that when I purchased the spear, it was along with a lot of Philippine, Oceanic, African, and other Southeast Asian material. Kind of an ethnographic mixed bag. I'll certainly start looking towards Nias to see if I can find anything similar. Thanks again, Joe

4th September 2010, 06:45 AM	#6
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I cann't get rid of the idea this one is Phillipine.

4th September 2010, 06:52 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,341	It's tempting to do so Henk . Me, I'm just not sure . The blade looks like it has been ritually washed a few times . I'm seeing a topographic surface on this blade .