Mystery Spear

David · 16th March 2020, 03:23 AM

Hey folks. Asking for a friend. Anyone recognize this spear and have a possible origin and time frame?

David · 16th March 2020, 04:03 AM

Here are a couple more photos that might be helpful.

sabertasche · 16th March 2020, 04:15 AM

Hi David, I am no expert but to me it looks Chinese.

Greg

Rick · 16th March 2020, 04:40 AM

I think it may be Chinese also David.
That looks like a Native American basket it is poised upon.

David · 16th March 2020, 05:05 AM

Thanks so far guys. Any ideas about age?

mahratt · 16th March 2020, 05:05 AM

Hello David.

This is undoubtedly a Chinese spear. I like.

Rick · 16th March 2020, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Thanks so far guys. Any ideas about age?

You tell me.

http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...cannon+chinese

Any provenance from the owner?

David · 16th March 2020, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Any provenance from the owner?

Nope, just something he can across in an antique shop.

David R · 16th March 2020, 11:18 AM

The faceted piece between head and socket is very indicative of a Chinese origin. As for age, Chinese militias were carrying them in WW2, but most stuff like this left China as souvenirs after the "Boxer Rebellion".

Peter Andeweg · 22nd March 2020, 02:58 PM

It's a Chinese spearhead. Likely Ming period (1368-1644).
The form is typical for this period, but they were also manufactured later on in the same style. Yours looks old enough for late Ming IMHO.

Regards, Peter

Philip · 23rd March 2020, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Andeweg

It's a Chinese spearhead. Likely Ming period (1368-1644).
The form is typical for this period, but they were also manufactured later on in the same style. Yours looks old enough for late Ming IMHO.

Regards, Peter

I agree, Peter, with the continuity of style over two dynasties. Re appearance of age, it would depend to a large extent on where it's been all these years. As our experience with Western edged weapons go, dagger that has been preserved for centuries in an aristocrat's armory will look a lot "newer" than a bayonet that has been buried in a field or been rusting away in a barn since the Franco-Prussian War.

David · 24th March 2020, 07:51 PM

Thanks for adding your opinions Peter and and Philip. My friend should be very pleased to hear your thoughts.

16th March 2020, 03:23 AM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,199	Mystery Spear Hey folks. Asking for a friend. Anyone recognize this spear and have a possible origin and time frame? Attached Images

16th March 2020, 04:03 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,199	Here are a couple more photos that might be helpful. Attached Images

16th March 2020, 04:15 AM	#3
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Hi David, I am no expert but to me it looks Chinese. Greg

16th March 2020, 04:40 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,325	I think it may be Chinese also David. That looks like a Native American basket it is poised upon.

16th March 2020, 05:05 AM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,199	Thanks so far guys. Any ideas about age?

16th March 2020, 05:05 AM	#6
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	Hello David. This is undoubtedly a Chinese spear. I like.

16th March 2020, 11:18 AM	#9
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,112	The faceted piece between head and socket is very indicative of a Chinese origin. As for age, Chinese militias were carrying them in WW2, but most stuff like this left China as souvenirs after the "Boxer Rebellion".

22nd March 2020, 02:58 PM	#10
Peter Andeweg Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Vlissingen, Netherlands Posts: 71	It's a Chinese spearhead. Likely Ming period (1368-1644). The form is typical for this period, but they were also manufactured later on in the same style. Yours looks old enough for late Ming IMHO. Regards, Peter

24th March 2020, 07:51 PM	#12
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,199	Thanks for adding your opinions Peter and and Philip. My friend should be very pleased to hear your thoughts.