African Brass Staff Scepter Wand for comment
 

Hello. I picked up this heavy 50" brass piece recently and was wondering if any member might recognize the patterns or the odd coiled top, and could possibly help guide me in the right direction as to a tribal origin/use. The patination looked good to me, but my base of knowledge of ethnography lies in the South Pacific, so I just kind of gambled on this one because it was an interesting piece. Any help would be appreciated.

Best,
Joe

Looks very nice, and interesting. This would have been a special item in its original setting. What is the other end like? It looks like West African.

Tim,
Here are a couple of pics of the pointed bottom.

Best,
Joe

The top reminds me of Baule sword pommels... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6697

Nice item!

I am guessing that it is a form of ceramonial or status spear from West African countries or should I say regions. There are steel spears of this form in the PittRivers museum Oxford. They are identified as coming from Liberia. I am sure that they are more widespride than just Liberia. They do have the same look as Toerag type spears but are quite different. Lew has a small example. I am assuming the square handle section is roughly in the middle. Going further south the curly bits at the butt end are not that far from a brass Ibo spear of the same size I have. I will try to add a link.

Cannot find the link so will post picture tomorrow.

Tim and Iain,
thank you for the feedback on the piece. The squared section is more toward the end with the coil than the pointed end.

Best,
Joe

This is about 10 inches longer.