Help Identifying the Origin of this Spearhead

CharlesS · 24th November 2015, 06:00 PM

I am fairly certain this unique spearhead mounted on a simple brass ferrule is Indonesian, but hope to identify it to a more precise location. The pamor steel shape is not particularly unique, but the "magic box",(I have forgotten the name of this typically Islamic talismanic symbol) in chiseled into what also serves as a thick bolster for the blade, is unique.

Any ideas about the origins of this spearhead. The talismanic symbols alone make me assume it is from an Islamic region of Indonesia.

I'm looking forward to any input.

A.alnakkas · 24th November 2015, 06:20 PM

Hey CharlesS,

Wonderful stuff you have shown! random, off topic question; do you have Arabian spears? sorry and hope this does not derail the topic :-)

CharlesS · 24th November 2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Hey CharlesS,

Wonderful stuff you have shown! random, off topic question; do you have Arabian spears? sorry and hope this does not derail the topic :-)

An Arab lance(and I assume you mean the super long ones) has a been a real collecting desire of mine A.Alnakkas, but I have never seen an Arabian lance offered or in anything other than period photos, drawings, and paintings.

I have sort of put that desire in the "never gonna happen" category of my collecting, along with quite a few other things!

A.alnakkas · 24th November 2015, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

An Arab lance(and I assume you mean the super long ones) has a been a real collecting desire of mine A.Alnakkas, but I have never seen an Arabian lance offered or in anything other than period photos, drawings, and paintings.

I have sort of put that desire in the "never gonna happen" category of my collecting, along with quite a few other things!

I do not wish to derail this topic! will send you an email.

Sajen · 25th November 2015, 12:10 AM

Hello Charles,

very interesting spear head, it seems that we have sometimes the same desire, I was bidding also.

I think that this spear head is either from the North of Sumatra (Batak?) or from the Dayak, I only know items from them with this kind of talismanic inscriptions. When I have to commit myself I would go for Batak because of the ferrule. And yes, I know, both are not islamic.

Regards,
Detlef

24th November 2015, 06:00 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Help Identifying the Origin of this Spearhead I am fairly certain this unique spearhead mounted on a simple brass ferrule is Indonesian, but hope to identify it to a more precise location. The pamor steel shape is not particularly unique, but the "magic box",(I have forgotten the name of this typically Islamic talismanic symbol) in chiseled into what also serves as a thick bolster for the blade, is unique. Any ideas about the origins of this spearhead. The talismanic symbols alone make me assume it is from an Islamic region of Indonesia. I'm looking forward to any input. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 24th November 2015 at 06:12 PM.

24th November 2015, 06:20 PM	#2
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Hey CharlesS, Wonderful stuff you have shown! random, off topic question; do you have Arabian spears? sorry and hope this does not derail the topic :-)

25th November 2015, 12:10 AM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,783	Hello Charles, very interesting spear head, it seems that we have sometimes the same desire, I was bidding also. I think that this spear head is either from the North of Sumatra (Batak?) or from the Dayak, I only know items from them with this kind of talismanic inscriptions. When I have to commit myself I would go for Batak because of the ferrule. And yes, I know, both are not islamic. Regards, Detlef