Indian Ceremonial Brass/Bronze Spear head ??

Jim McDougall · 26th November 2007, 04:13 AM

You're very welcome David!
Thank you so much for the kind words Jens! I still have my trusty Elgood, but still really miss the others!!!

katana · 30th November 2007, 06:22 PM

The two ceremonial spearheads have arrived. The decoration is hand chiselled brass. The socket appears to be cast bronze, hand finished and decorated. The socket opening is not perfectly round and seems that mechanical tools were not used in their construction. The patina on both of them suggests some age, and I could easily see these being 19th C.

katana · 2nd December 2007, 09:02 PM

I was fortunate to find this example for sale on an Arms Dealer's site.

"... INDIAN PALACE POLEARM FROM CEYLON (SRI LANKA) circa 1850. 92 inches overall. Thick 1 ½ inch wood shaft. The brass head is 16 ½ inches and beautifully decorated...."

Other than the fact my two examples are 0.5" shorter at 16", the pole diameter is the same as mine. With very similar design and execution.

Well done Jim, Ceylon seems almost certain where these originate

Regards David

katana · 10th December 2007, 06:47 PM

Found this very poor picture, but has a very similar design (overall) .... A spear head from Mindanao, Philippines

"....The ornaments on the Mindanao spear are of the mythical rooster-like bird the Sarimanok. This bird is often associated with the local concept that the human soul is transformed into a beautiful bird, the Sarinamok, at death.

In both cases, I believe the ornamentation, which serves no real practical purpose, represents the opening of the Underworld often thought of as the gaping mouth of a reptilian or bird-like creature......."

30th November 2007, 06:22 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	The two ceremonial spearheads have arrived. The decoration is hand chiselled brass. The socket appears to be cast bronze, hand finished and decorated. The socket opening is not perfectly round and seems that mechanical tools were not used in their construction. The patina on both of them suggests some age, and I could easily see these being 19th C. Attached Images

2nd December 2007, 09:02 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I was fortunate to find this example for sale on an Arms Dealer's site. "... INDIAN PALACE POLEARM FROM CEYLON (SRI LANKA) circa 1850. 92 inches overall. Thick 1 ½ inch wood shaft. The brass head is 16 ½ inches and beautifully decorated...." Other than the fact my two examples are 0.5" shorter at 16", the pole diameter is the same as mine. With very similar design and execution. Well done Jim, Ceylon seems almost certain where these originate Regards David Attached Images

10th December 2007, 06:47 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Found this very poor picture, but has a very similar design (overall) .... A spear head from Mindanao, Philippines "....The ornaments on the Mindanao spear are of the mythical rooster-like bird the Sarimanok. This bird is often associated with the local concept that the human soul is transformed into a beautiful bird, the Sarinamok, at death. In both cases, I believe the ornamentation, which serves no real practical purpose, represents the opening of the Underworld often thought of as the gaping mouth of a reptilian or bird-like creature......." Attached Images

26th November 2007, 04:13 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	You're very welcome David! Thank you so much for the kind words Jens! I still have my trusty Elgood, but still really miss the others!!!