A French halberd head ?

[fernando]

I was offered this one. Acquired in France. Had a look to Newmann's and other assorted publications and inferred this would be a French
halberd/partizan head. The socket was a poor replacement; i took it off right away.
What do you guys say about this thing ?

.

[A Senefelder]

Fernando, this is an offhand observation only, the chiselwork decoration at the base of the head around where the tines are reminds me of the decorations i've seen on late 19th/early 20th century Afghan axeheads and spears.

[fernando]

Not so offhand, Allan,
To tell you the truth, i was divided into posting this piece in the Ethno section or in here.
The decoration also looks Eastern to me but, somehow, i was influenced by the (French looking ?) extensions and by the fact that it was acquired in France.
Will copy this thread to the Ethno Forum.

[fernando]

Not even a guess in the Ethno Forum ? :confused:

[katana]

Hi 'Nando,
my impression is the decoration could be African / Arabic.(France held much of the west of Africa including Morocco and Algeria). Perhaps a colonial piece adopted/captured by locals and decorated to local taste ?

Kind Regards David

[fernando]

Thank you David; most acceptable suggestion :) .
Meanwhile:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16997