![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 865
|
![]()
Now that this piece is sold, I was wondering what people's thoughts are on this spear/ polearm?
http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=4184 The blade shape is not one I've seen before. The engraving/etch on the blade looks similar to Vietnamese. The silver collar reminds me of Thai/ Burmese, etc Any thoughts???? Last edited by Nathaniel; 25th November 2010 at 04:31 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 865
|
![]()
Anyone????
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
|
![]()
Seems more Thai/Burmese to me. As you noted the collar in particular. The form isn't that much of a stress of the slightly curved dha bladed pole arms I've seen before from Thailand.
Here's a shot I found quickly on google of a bunch of Thai pole arms. http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/image/36570994/original Blades aren't visible but some of them look rather straight and could fit the bill. Overall I like the piece a lot, a pity these often have the shaft cut. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
|
![]()
Hi Nathaniel,
Since our previous conversations I've delved a little further and I now have seen another complete example and its context with other Thai arms. After viewing this piece, I am convinced this is Thai, not Chinese. Hard to call it a spear in the pure sense as I couldn't imagine this type of weapon to be thrown, there is just no symetrical balance to it, so perhaps a 'pike' is a more apt name. In line with a pike, I see these as a thrusting weapon or to be dug in to the ground to brace against an onslaught, one that may be quite effective in numbers against an Elephant with that thick weighted head? Gav Last edited by freebooter; 1st December 2010 at 12:16 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 865
|
![]() Quote:
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
|
![]()
Hi Nathaniel,
The collection spoken of speaks to me as a whole, more as Thai in full context and it also coincides with other spears and polearms known in the same vein that are definately Thai. In particular, although not unique to Thailand, materials used such as the type of bamboo shafts and types of collars are good pointers. Even a number of the longest and highest end examples I have seen of quality Thai spears are on sturdy rather unrefined looking bamboo shafts. What I have also noted though and more so in Iain's link provided, is that these pieces in the Palace museum seen to have more refined timber shafts and a standardised type of collar ![]() IMHO only, the consistancy of design traits at this point in time, along with similar blade stylings seen in the context of the collection, points to this region for me. As Spears of SEA are a rather unexplored, I for one would love to see more work done on the subject....if the weren't so expensive to ship I'd be buying more, I love them long pointy SEA spears ;-) Gav Last edited by freebooter; 3rd December 2010 at 07:50 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 1,242
|
![]()
Hello,
Some time ago a gentleman on another forum posted an identical pole-arm along with a collection of Thai spears. He had purchased all of them in Thailand but could not recognize this blade style in the usual patterns. It came with a scabbard, which I thought was very similar to Indonesian tombak scabbards. This may, of course, just be a case of similar functional solutions than anything else. Emanuel |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Posts: 63
|
![]()
The engraved features on the blade remind me of Vietnamese weapons.
The overall shape is unlike any Chinese, Vietnamese or Thai weapons I've seen so far but the style and workmanship of its decoration certaintly points to the region around Vietnam. -Peter |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
|
![]()
Welcome Peter, great to see you here :-)
Gav |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Posts: 63
|
![]()
Hi,
Glad to be here too! I registered years ago but my account never seemed to work properly, there was something wrong with the permissions. I decided to give it another try today and suddenly noticed it works. P.S. I got something of you here to wrap. There was some interesting stuff under the wrap, a piece of paper with characters. I'll send pics later, my laptop is currently out for repair so I don't have access to my other mail accounts. -Peter |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
|
![]() Quote:
Nathaniel, can you post your better images for all to view, they do from memory show more detail....it may help others solve the riddle??? Gav |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 865
|
![]()
Thanks for the post guys
![]() Here are some of the first pictures I took, Gavin...not the best..little dark: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
|
![]()
Certainly Vietnam from the detailed images...I've been lucky enough to obtain a complete example a few years ago, complete with the armourers chop seal clearly stamped in the blade, although it has the more classical thick steel and ring collar.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|