Decorated lance head - identification thoughts please
 

Dear all,

Having had no luck identifying this lance head through several museums, forge experts in Klingenthal and archaeologist friends, finally I was guided to this treasure trove of knowledge and passionate experts. I look forward to exchanging with you!

So as my first post you'll find attached several pictures of a socket lance head. I have not seen anything like this in either shape or inlaid symbols, so can't tell if it's Medieval or earlier Saxon, Viking, Hun....possibly even neolithic Danube from the inlay?

It looks iron (is magnetic, but nowhere near as much as modern iron) and has traces on the blade of what looks like gold and bronze decoration & shaft ring.
In all likelihood it was found in the Upper Rhine area.

Looking forward to your thoughts, and if possible pictures or links to any positively identified similar objects.

With kind regards / Bart

Hi BartP,

Is there a history that comes with this item? Dig location or anything?
I ask as it may not be European if there is no data with it?

Gavin

Welcome to the forum, Bart :) .
Let us see if you are lucky to have this most interesting piece identified.

There is some resemblance with a few medieval Prussian spears... just the first thing that came to mind, wouldn't put too much weight on it. I am not very knowledgeable about non-European weapons, so if that is the source as Gavin asks I won't be of much help...

Couple questions:

1) the decoration includes clusters of little inlaid circles in several places, is that correct?

2) are there some traces of some additional markings on the right side of the blade also? (circled in red)

3) there seems to be more decoration on the shaft than just the ring, I'd be curious to see closeups of all sides of the shaft.