Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 8th December 2005, 04:50 PM

Fernando:

Spears are tricky, especially when there is not an overall view. How long it is, what materials it is made from (especially the shaft), how the shaft is attached to the business end, the shape of the spear blade, etc. can all be clues to its origin.

Do you have any particular reason to think this one is African? The blade looks fairly simple and could come from a number of different parts of the world. Looking at the way the shaft is attached to the point, there appears to be some binding with woven fibers. That might suggest an Asian origin. In looking at the particular weave on your example, it reminds me of Naga work which is quite different from, say, Burmese/Thai rattan work or examples from the Dayak (Borneo) or Ifugao (Philippines).

More pictures of your spear would definitely help.

Ian.

8th December 2005, 04:50 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Tricky Fernando: Spears are tricky, especially when there is not an overall view. How long it is, what materials it is made from (especially the shaft), how the shaft is attached to the business end, the shape of the spear blade, etc. can all be clues to its origin. Do you have any particular reason to think this one is African? The blade looks fairly simple and could come from a number of different parts of the world. Looking at the way the shaft is attached to the point, there appears to be some binding with woven fibers. That might suggest an Asian origin. In looking at the particular weave on your example, it reminds me of Naga work which is quite different from, say, Burmese/Thai rattan work or examples from the Dayak (Borneo) or Ifugao (Philippines). More pictures of your spear would definitely help. Ian.