Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Sumatra, Toba Batak spear, probably for ceremonial use?

Loedjoe · 22nd March 2020, 04:48 PM

Narrow heavy blade, with a pronounced central ridge running the whole length, broadening to the short hexagonal base, which is followed by a ribbon-like strip of steel(?) wound diagonally around the top of the shaft. Next is a sleeve of silver held by three pins or nails (one missing) at the top, decorated with four downward pointing triangles (c.2 cm) composed of circles of silver wire, a few missing. At the base of the sleeve a collar (1 cm) with a zig-zag pattern at the top.
Slender shaft of wood with long streaks of dark brown and black (ebony?)

179.5 cm, blade 22 cm, breadth at widest place 2.2 cm, silver sleeve 14.5 cm, shaft 1.4 cm in diameter. Bought from Mytribalart (thank you Arjan).

Does anyone have similar spears, for comparison?

22nd March 2020, 04:48 PM	#1
Loedjoe Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oxford (UK) Posts: 96	Sumatra, Toba Batak spear, probably for ceremonial use? Narrow heavy blade, with a pronounced central ridge running the whole length, broadening to the short hexagonal base, which is followed by a ribbon-like strip of steel(?) wound diagonally around the top of the shaft. Next is a sleeve of silver held by three pins or nails (one missing) at the top, decorated with four downward pointing triangles (c.2 cm) composed of circles of silver wire, a few missing. At the base of the sleeve a collar (1 cm) with a zig-zag pattern at the top. Slender shaft of wood with long streaks of dark brown and black (ebony?) 179.5 cm, blade 22 cm, breadth at widest place 2.2 cm, silver sleeve 14.5 cm, shaft 1.4 cm in diameter. Bought from Mytribalart (thank you Arjan). Does anyone have similar spears, for comparison? Attached Images