A Huge Burmese Lance

[asomotif]

Unique, rare, I believe this without a doubt.

But beatiful ? not imho.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Unique, rare, I believe this without a doubt.

But beatiful ? not imho.

In a way I have to agree with you here. I have really marveled at how much artistic effort was put into the decorated hafts, yet so little effort in the forged spear heads....just doesn't seem to make sense does it? Such elegant hafts with such rough blades!

[A. G. Maisey]

Here is a photo of some pole arms in the museum Radya Pustaka in Solo, Central Jawa.

The cabinets are about seven feet high, the pole arms probably around 14 feet long.

These very long pole arms were used mainly for crowd control.

The ones with the forked heads with reverse teeth were for holding people who ran amuk and for other criminals.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Unique, rare, I believe this without a doubt.

But beatiful ? not imho.

Hello Willem,

it's the question if we can call a weapon as beautiful since it's mainly worked for killing humans. I have maybe chosen the wrong word. The silver work is magnificent IMO.

Regards,
Detlef

[Nathaniel]

Fantastic piece, Charles! Love the variety in lance heads and orb/ disk/ ball decor. The silver beaded decorated sections above and between the disks looks high quality. I'm guessing the silverwork overall might be a step above the other two? The screw through the socket is curious makes you wonder if the tips were removed and later reattached in the UK long ago??? I'm guessing these are more ceremonial pieces, but could be used as well... would it be possible to see a picture of the butt spike? Curious that the butt section has a replacement of aluminium...a more economical local replacement...I know in SEA you do see aluminum or an alloy sometimes referred to as Miao silver, that isn't really silver, ie aluminium used in jewelry/decor...