Sudanese spear scepter

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

cookware companies were supplying aluminium pots and pans in the 1890s and perhaps even earlier. Like plastic bowls and buckets I bet the African market lapped them up. Easy to melt and turn into all sort of things.

I havent fully researched it Tim, but I thought Aluminium only became a non precious metel around 1912 to 1914 era? So saucepans seem rather unlikely?

Or perahaps Im mistaken?

Id also guess zinc & tin also have a similar apprence in a low res. photo.

Spiral

[Lew]

Have a better look

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251067015071...ht_4481wt_1081

[Tim Simmons]

Quote {power house of cookware 1893-1920} Just a quick look.

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wmh/...rticleID=26240

Mess tin dated. These were in use well before WW1

http://www.1420h.org.uk/archives/messtin/messtin.html

pre 1914 Russian Aluminiun bottles

http://www.collect-militaria.com/ind...571&page=1&c=5

[Timo Nieminen]

De-preciousization was about 1890. Before that, fit for VIPs, capping prestige momuments, etc. After that, rapidly cheaper. Some history at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium#History.

I thought this sceptre/spear/thing was cute, but not really my thing. Also, Quarantine here doesn't like the import of animal products like this. At best, they tend to charge for gamma-irradiation of it before you can get it. But that's my problems with it, not yours, so congrats on a cute sceptre/spear/thing!

Here is my favourite Sudanese thing. It's modern (1970s or 1980s iirc), but supposedly made in the traditional style.

[spiral]

Nice piece Lew, Steel I see.

Hi Tim, Yes I see the International Aluminium institute says world production was up to 8000 tonnes by 1900. My error, it was a precious metal untill around 1889

The American firm you linked to started producing cookware in 1914, they original imported ally for novelties from Germany. {The Austrians & Swiss bieng the main producers apparently.}

Spiral