Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Freddy · 9th December 2005, 10:36 AM

In Belgium, we often have the opportunity to find weaponry from Africa, especially Congo.
A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon these three spear blades. I just bought them because they were cheap. One in particular interested me because of its shape. When the parcel arrived, I was very surprised to find that two were a bit peculiar

First let me show you the ordinary one. Just a straightforward spear blade. No decoration, just a functional piece. Nevertheless, I noticed, when I was cleaning it,that it was very well forged.

Total length : 27 cm

The second one, I bought because I thought it was a currency blade. I have a similar one in my collection. The auction didn't mention any measurements, so I guessed it was an ordinary piece.
To my surprise it's very small.

Total length : 21,5.

I took a picture of both my pieces to compare. The big one measures about 68 cm and is 16,5 cm wide (at the bottom). HUGE !
Like I said, these spear blades were used as currency. Perhaps the little one is 'small change' ?

Now the last one. When I saw the picture, I took it for a Japanese arrowhead. Anyway, it looked like one. But it's too big, I think. Total length : 22 cm. Length of blade : 12,5 cm).
Upon examining it, it looked definitively African.

Now my question ! Has anyone seen similar pieces like the last two ? Any comment ?

9th December 2005, 10:36 AM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Some African spear blades In Belgium, we often have the opportunity to find weaponry from Africa, especially Congo. A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon these three spear blades. I just bought them because they were cheap. One in particular interested me because of its shape. When the parcel arrived, I was very surprised to find that two were a bit peculiar First let me show you the ordinary one. Just a straightforward spear blade. No decoration, just a functional piece. Nevertheless, I noticed, when I was cleaning it,that it was very well forged. Total length : 27 cm The second one, I bought because I thought it was a currency blade. I have a similar one in my collection. The auction didn't mention any measurements, so I guessed it was an ordinary piece. To my surprise it's very small. Total length : 21,5. I took a picture of both my pieces to compare. The big one measures about 68 cm and is 16,5 cm wide (at the bottom). HUGE ! Like I said, these spear blades were used as currency. Perhaps the little one is 'small change' ? Now the last one. When I saw the picture, I took it for a Japanese arrowhead. Anyway, it looked like one. But it's too big, I think. Total length : 22 cm. Length of blade : 12,5 cm). Upon examining it, it looked definitively African. Now my question ! Has anyone seen similar pieces like the last two ? Any comment ?