Philippine spears for ID

Nonoy Tan · 1st March 2008, 07:49 AM

When I acquired these spears, my first impression was that they were "moro" or that they were from Mindanao (because of the brasswork). However, I am wary to make a fast conclusion (because brasswork is not unique to Mindanao only).

Can anyone help ID these 3 spears?

Battara · 2nd March 2008, 02:02 AM

They look like Lumad pieces but I have never seen blade shapes like these on PI Lumad pieces before....

Nonoy Tan · 9th March 2008, 11:26 AM

Here are three more similar spears. One has a black ring close to the ferrule which is apparently carabao horn. I still have not pinned down with any definitiveness the origins of these spears to Mindanao, Philippines.

Nonoy Tan · 9th March 2008, 11:32 AM

Here is a pic of a spearhead specimen at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. It is identified as a luzon spear ca. 1915. That may or may not be a misidentification. Sorry for the low res-image.

VANDOO · 9th March 2008, 06:44 PM

THE SPEAR AT THE TOP OF THE PICTURE OF 3 SPEARS IS THE CLOSEST TO A NORMAL WAR SPEAR FROM LUZON. THE OTHERS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN MADE USING MORE REFINED FORGEING TECKNIQUES SO PERHAPS THEY WERE BROUGHT IN FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE AS TRADE ITEMS??.
THE SHAFT ON THE WAR SPEARS OF THIS FORM THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN HAVE A BLADE THAT SOMETIMES HAS A HOLE IN THE TANG. THE WOODEN SHAFT IS USUALLY ENLARGED WITH A METAL FERULE WHERE THE TANG GOES INTO THE SHAFT. THESE SPEARS HAVE A VARIATION ON THE SHAPE OF THE POINT AND ON THE FORM OF THE SHAFT. THEY ALL LOOK LIKE HARPOON POINTS SO IT MAKES ONE WONDER IF THE SPEAR FORM EVOLVED FROM THE HARPOON OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND

KNOWING WHEN AND HOW STEEL FIRST CAME TO THE PHILIPPINES COULD SHEAD SOME LIGHT ON MY LAST QUESTION.

1st March 2008, 07:49 AM	#1
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Philippine spears for ID When I acquired these spears, my first impression was that they were "moro" or that they were from Mindanao (because of the brasswork). However, I am wary to make a fast conclusion (because brasswork is not unique to Mindanao only). Can anyone help ID these 3 spears? Attached Images

9th March 2008, 11:26 AM	#3
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Here are three more similar spears. One has a black ring close to the ferrule which is apparently carabao horn. I still have not pinned down with any definitiveness the origins of these spears to Mindanao, Philippines. Attached Images

9th March 2008, 11:32 AM	#4
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Here is a pic of a spearhead specimen at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. It is identified as a luzon spear ca. 1915. That may or may not be a misidentification. Sorry for the low res-image. Attached Images

2nd March 2008, 02:02 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,200	They look like Lumad pieces but I have never seen blade shapes like these on PI Lumad pieces before....

9th March 2008, 06:44 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE SPEAR AT THE TOP OF THE PICTURE OF 3 SPEARS IS THE CLOSEST TO A NORMAL WAR SPEAR FROM LUZON. THE OTHERS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN MADE USING MORE REFINED FORGEING TECKNIQUES SO PERHAPS THEY WERE BROUGHT IN FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE AS TRADE ITEMS??. THE SHAFT ON THE WAR SPEARS OF THIS FORM THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN HAVE A BLADE THAT SOMETIMES HAS A HOLE IN THE TANG. THE WOODEN SHAFT IS USUALLY ENLARGED WITH A METAL FERULE WHERE THE TANG GOES INTO THE SHAFT. THESE SPEARS HAVE A VARIATION ON THE SHAPE OF THE POINT AND ON THE FORM OF THE SHAFT. THEY ALL LOOK LIKE HARPOON POINTS SO IT MAKES ONE WONDER IF THE SPEAR FORM EVOLVED FROM THE HARPOON OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND KNOWING WHEN AND HOW STEEL FIRST CAME TO THE PHILIPPINES COULD SHEAD SOME LIGHT ON MY LAST QUESTION.