An extremely nice Indo-Persian Spear

Atlantia · 15th September 2010, 11:45 PM

Hi David,
My first thought was German because of the shape and decoration.
That said, it could be from several countries, and I didn't realise that Boar hunting was popular (in this way) in india, so why not an Indian made example in the European style?
Anyway, I have no knowledge in that area to comment on so I'll have to keep reading while this mystery unfolds.
One thing though, I did also look at the filled holes on the upper part of the socket.
I did think that they are possibly the remains of some kind of projection.
Were they to secure the shaft, they seem rather close to what must be the end of the wood (inside the socket) and I would also have expected them to match the lower ones in shape and size.
Boar spears can have bars or flanges as we all know, perhaps these marks are from removal of something?
Best
Gene

Tim Simmons · 16th September 2010, 09:10 AM

David you are right about a Moorish style. In the second half of the 19th century Moorish/Arab was in vouge. This is a European hunting spear and probably as mentioned German or central European countries. It could be earlier than 1890s but I think there is just a hint of the "Art Nouveau" in more organic flow to the design when compered to earlier forms.

Black and white pictures from "High Victorian Design, National Gallery Canda" These are early period.

Colour picture "Art&Design in Europe and America 1800-1900. Victoria & Albert Museum" Late period Paris 1893 Fernand Thesmar.

Just a few of many.

katana · 16th September 2010, 07:42 PM

Thank you Gentlemen,
for the 'lesson', I had really gone 'off' on a tangent

Thank you Tim for posting the images.....I had not realised that Moorish/Arabic design was so widespread in Victorian European.

I still think the spear is a quality item.....but am not so sad to have lost it

All the best
David

16th September 2010, 09:10 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,902	David you are right about a Moorish style. In the second half of the 19th century Moorish/Arab was in vouge. This is a European hunting spear and probably as mentioned German or central European countries. It could be earlier than 1890s but I think there is just a hint of the "Art Nouveau" in more organic flow to the design when compered to earlier forms. Black and white pictures from "High Victorian Design, National Gallery Canda" These are early period. Colour picture "Art&Design in Europe and America 1800-1900. Victoria & Albert Museum" Late period Paris 1893 Fernand Thesmar. Just a few of many. Attached Images

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15th September 2010, 11:45 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi David, My first thought was German because of the shape and decoration. That said, it could be from several countries, and I didn't realise that Boar hunting was popular (in this way) in india, so why not an Indian made example in the European style? Anyway, I have no knowledge in that area to comment on so I'll have to keep reading while this mystery unfolds. One thing though, I did also look at the filled holes on the upper part of the socket. I did think that they are possibly the remains of some kind of projection. Were they to secure the shaft, they seem rather close to what must be the end of the wood (inside the socket) and I would also have expected them to match the lower ones in shape and size. Boar spears can have bars or flanges as we all know, perhaps these marks are from removal of something? Best Gene

16th September 2010, 07:42 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thank you Gentlemen, for the 'lesson', I had really gone 'off' on a tangent Thank you Tim for posting the images.....I had not realised that Moorish/Arabic design was so widespread in Victorian European. I still think the spear is a quality item.....but am not so sad to have lost it All the best David