Enggano spear / Ekajo

[danny1976]

Hi Rick ,

I have to check what you are saying , but then only the upper part is in the lacquer .
It's only lets say on the 3th of the shaft , the upper part.
Any idea how i can check if it is some kind of finish ? Because when it is not i will regret the cleaning.

[Albert]

On the top right photo an Enggano spear with a similar small metal plate.

(Photo's page 105 of: Traditionele wapens van Enggano. Een verdwenen cultuur van de Indonesische archipel. [Traditional weapons of Enggano. A lost culture of the Indonsian archipelago])

BTW is is a pity that you decided not to sell this item

[Rick]

Originally Posted by danny1976

Hi Rick ,

I have to check what you are saying , but then only the upper part is in the lacquer .
It's only lets say on the 3th of the shaft , the upper part.
Any idea how i can check if it is some kind of finish ? Because when it is not i will regret the cleaning.

Maybe a bit of acetone applied in a small patch with a cotton swab somewhere unobtrusive would tell you something; although I would think a collector would have coated the entire haft with shellac/varnish.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

although I would think a collector would have coated the entire haft with shellac/varnish.

Hi Rick,

it will be "smoke" patina. Weapons of ethnic groups often keep their weapons in the "house"/hut near the open fire. One reason was that insects don't like smoked wood, an other that it's dry near the fire, think about the climate over there, so an iron weapon don't rust fast!

Regards,
Detlef

[kai]

Maybe a bit of acetone applied in a small patch with a cotton swab somewhere unobtrusive would tell you something

Acetone will pretty much dissolve any residue regardless of origin - I won't go that route.

Detlef may be quite right that these are fat and smoke deposits from cooking.

Since this is a kinda "tribal" piece, I'd leave it as is.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Danny,

Thanks for sharing this nice find!

It will be tough to stop the spear head from wiggling (anything done should be fully reversible if you want to follow museum standards). You could try to gently squeeze in some durable foam; however, the increased pressure (even if fairly light) on the braiding may result in cracking of the fibers and would be a shame...

BTW, any signs (hole, broken remnants) of small spikes inserted into the braided ferrule? Often at the base of the ferrule (opposite of the plate?) and/or integrated into the braiding.

Regards,
Kai

[danny1976]

Hello Kai ,

I did check for small nails under and in the braided ferule , but no signs of such thing .
Maybe it is there but hided under the resin

Regards,
Danny