strange spear / lance

bvieira · 15th January 2021, 07:14 PM

Is anybody familiar with this design ? what was the utility of these brass pieces ?

tks.

BV

TVV · 15th January 2021, 08:38 PM

Based on the socket decoration, this spearhead probably comes from the Sahel or the Mandara mountains. The brass plates almost certainly have some ceremonial or cult significance, but I personally do not know what exactly. Very attractive piece, thanks for sharing.

colin henshaw · 16th January 2021, 03:11 PM

A most interesting and unusual African spearhead. Probably a high status prestige item from West Africa.

The closest example I can find is in the "Oldman Collection Catalogue of Ethnographical Specimens", that has similar curly metal protusions to the blade. It describes it as from Mendiland (Sierra Leone), and "used by Chief Bigi".

Thanks for posting.

15th January 2021, 07:14 PM	#1
bvieira Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 108	strange spear / lance Is anybody familiar with this design ? what was the utility of these brass pieces ? tks. BV Attached Images

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15th January 2021, 08:38 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,724	Based on the socket decoration, this spearhead probably comes from the Sahel or the Mandara mountains. The brass plates almost certainly have some ceremonial or cult significance, but I personally do not know what exactly. Very attractive piece, thanks for sharing.

16th January 2021, 03:11 PM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	A most interesting and unusual African spearhead. Probably a high status prestige item from West Africa. The closest example I can find is in the "Oldman Collection Catalogue of Ethnographical Specimens", that has similar curly metal protusions to the blade. It describes it as from Mendiland (Sierra Leone), and "used by Chief Bigi". Thanks for posting.