Possible Zulu Spear ????

drac2k · 19th September 2013, 05:09 AM

I recently picked up this item and even though it has many Iklwa characteristics, such as the blade configuration (14.5 "), and the wire wrapping it is longer than my other Zulu spears(52 "), and the end of the spear is turned(my other spears are not embellished on the ends).
The spear has a great hand forged blade and wonderful wire work and I would like to know if this is a Zulu spear or of a neighboring tribe influenced by the Zulus.

Battara · 19th September 2013, 08:57 AM

Looks African and Zulu, but is it a later piece?

drac2k · 19th September 2013, 02:31 PM

I think you are right, mainly because of the length and the turned end however the workmanship is excellent and there is age patina to the blade and an age split in the wood , so the question is how new? Is it pre- WW1, pre -WW2, etc ?

colin henshaw · 1st November 2013, 04:02 PM

Hi

Noticed this post. Its very difficult to attribute such spears to specific tribal groups within S.E. Africa, without a provenance...but the combination of wirework, flattened diamond section blade and carved butt, make me think of further northwards towards Zimbabwe/Mozambique areas, rather than Zulu.

Gavin Nugent · 2nd November 2013, 01:09 AM

Nice spear. Age I can no see from the photos but it does have some.

The base is hand carved, not turned as suggested.

The carved base and wire wrapped head is typical of Shona work but others more knowledgable may comment further.

See image below; Pictured are many fine Shona spears being from an extract of the very rare 1890's publication by Muller, Hendrik P.N. & Joh. F. Snelleman, "Industrie des Cafres du sud-est de l' Afrique".

Gavin

drac2k · 2nd November 2013, 03:58 AM

Thank you gentlemen for the additional information !!!

19th September 2013, 05:09 AM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Possible Zulu Spear ???? I recently picked up this item and even though it has many Iklwa characteristics, such as the blade configuration (14.5 "), and the wire wrapping it is longer than my other Zulu spears(52 "), and the end of the spear is turned(my other spears are not embellished on the ends). The spear has a great hand forged blade and wonderful wire work and I would like to know if this is a Zulu spear or of a neighboring tribe influenced by the Zulus. Attached Images

2nd November 2013, 01:09 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Nice spear. Age I can no see from the photos but it does have some. The base is hand carved, not turned as suggested. The carved base and wire wrapped head is typical of Shona work but others more knowledgable may comment further. See image below; Pictured are many fine Shona spears being from an extract of the very rare 1890's publication by Muller, Hendrik P.N. & Joh. F. Snelleman, "Industrie des Cafres du sud-est de l' Afrique". Gavin Attached Images

19th September 2013, 08:57 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Looks African and Zulu, but is it a later piece?

19th September 2013, 02:31 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	I think you are right, mainly because of the length and the turned end however the workmanship is excellent and there is age patina to the blade and an age split in the wood , so the question is how new? Is it pre- WW1, pre -WW2, etc ?

1st November 2013, 04:02 PM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi Noticed this post. Its very difficult to attribute such spears to specific tribal groups within S.E. Africa, without a provenance...but the combination of wirework, flattened diamond section blade and carved butt, make me think of further northwards towards Zimbabwe/Mozambique areas, rather than Zulu.

2nd November 2013, 03:58 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Thank you gentlemen for the additional information !!!