'Fat bladed' spear

[Freddy]

At Tim's request : here it is.

This spear is a currency spear used by the Mbole and/or Topoke-tribes in Congo. As you can see from the pics, it has no point. It is of no uses as a weapon. Could be used as a ceremonial piece.
Nevertheless, the forging on this spear blade is beautiful.
The wooden shaft is fairly simple, but some iron and copper rings are used to decorate it.

Total length : 1m58.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1626.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1627.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1629.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1630a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1631b.jpg

Here are some similar pieces from the book 'Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika) :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/0182.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/0184.jpg

[Lew]

Freddy

Very nice spear :) We need to stop showing off our nice African stuff don't want it to become the next hot ticket on Ebay :eek: I like the prices just the way they are CHEAP! :D

Lew

[Tim Simmons]

Great spear, I had better put my gag back on :( Tim

[Freddy]

Lew,

It's already too late. Prices on African weapons (especially in Belgium) are constantly rising. Sometimes, I'm really amazed at the money people spend on their hobby.

By the way, this one wasn't bought on ebay or any other auction site. I go a lot to jumble sales, junk shops and the odd antique fair, and there always something to be found. Mostly dirty and rusty, but cheap... :D

One just has to know where to look for them !

[Freddy]

Just an idea !

When I find a nice spear head (African or other) without shaft, it's a shame to put it in a box or keep it hidden away somewhere else. Sometimes, I make a simple wooden stand and paint it black. Looks very nice and you can enjoy your pieces.
I've done this with sword or knife blades, too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/speerpunten-onbekend.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/SoOlomboLokele-speerpunt.jpg