Research help needed please!

Tim Simmons · 19th February 2006, 07:05 PM

Hello Kate,

I do not know if this will help but I am pretty sure it is from somewhere in Central Africa where the use of zinc is common for decorative purposes. I suspect the Congo. There are not that many ways to make barbs on a spear, however they can still be distinctive. Look at this copper currency spear head and note the method of forming the barbs in contrast to the Nuer, so called fishing spear. I am sure it will not be too long before other members give a more accurate origin. Tim

Tim Simmons · 19th February 2006, 07:11 PM

I forgot to mention that I doubt your spear ever had a stabbing function. There might be info on such things in the archive. Tim

Katius · 19th February 2006, 07:17 PM

Thanks so much for that, thats going to help out loads, I just didn't know where to start then I came across this forum!

I was told it was South African then someone else told me it was from the Ivory Coast so yours seems more realistic so Thank You!!!

Kate

Tim Simmons · 19th February 2006, 07:25 PM

Jolly good thing to start with, you had better be careful or you might get bitten and become a nerd like the rest of us and turn all your money into old weapons

. Tim

Jim McDougall · 20th February 2006, 04:11 PM

Hi Tim,
I think your assessment of this being most likely from the Congo regions is most plausible, and there seem to be a number of varities of both arrows and spears using numerous styles of 'barbing'.

This example seem extremely crudely forged and the barbs seem very rudimentary. I was looking through some various sources to check the many forms of barbed hunting and war spears and arrows, mostly Oceanic and from the Philippines to compare this example. Obviously these are typically made from varying types of wood material, so would not likely include this spear.
I noticed an interesting reference to significance of the barbs however in Kriegers' work on Philippine weapons (Smithsonian, 1926, p.45) noting that "...occurrence of multiple barbs in the iron spearheads of the Bontok Igorot insure protection against the 'anitos' or evil spirits".

In your experience do you think possibly that these seemingly rudimentary barbs on this example may have similar talismanic significance, even though it is clearly from an unrelated sphere? Although the practical purpose of the barbs on hunting, or as often seen, poisoned weapons, is clear...it seems that numeric symbolism may have some place with a weapon that as you have suggested may have ceremonial intent.

Kate,
Very intriguing specimen! It's good to see that you are studying the conservation of these most important weapons. I am always relieved when they fall into the hands of responsible individuals who will not overclean or otherwise destroy the integrity of the piece, and properly maintain it to preserve its history. Thank you!!!!

All the best,
Jim

19th February 2006, 07:05 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Hello Kate, I do not know if this will help but I am pretty sure it is from somewhere in Central Africa where the use of zinc is common for decorative purposes. I suspect the Congo. There are not that many ways to make barbs on a spear, however they can still be distinctive. Look at this copper currency spear head and note the method of forming the barbs in contrast to the Nuer, so called fishing spear. I am sure it will not be too long before other members give a more accurate origin. Tim Attached Images

19th February 2006, 07:17 PM	#3
Katius Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 14	Great help! Thanks so much for that, thats going to help out loads, I just didn't know where to start then I came across this forum! I was told it was South African then someone else told me it was from the Ivory Coast so yours seems more realistic so Thank You!!! Kate

19th February 2006, 07:11 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I forgot to mention that I doubt your spear ever had a stabbing function. There might be info on such things in the archive. Tim

19th February 2006, 07:25 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Jolly good thing to start with, you had better be careful or you might get bitten and become a nerd like the rest of us and turn all your money into old weapons . Tim

20th February 2006, 04:11 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Hi Tim, I think your assessment of this being most likely from the Congo regions is most plausible, and there seem to be a number of varities of both arrows and spears using numerous styles of 'barbing'. This example seem extremely crudely forged and the barbs seem very rudimentary. I was looking through some various sources to check the many forms of barbed hunting and war spears and arrows, mostly Oceanic and from the Philippines to compare this example. Obviously these are typically made from varying types of wood material, so would not likely include this spear. I noticed an interesting reference to significance of the barbs however in Kriegers' work on Philippine weapons (Smithsonian, 1926, p.45) noting that "...occurrence of multiple barbs in the iron spearheads of the Bontok Igorot insure protection against the 'anitos' or evil spirits". In your experience do you think possibly that these seemingly rudimentary barbs on this example may have similar talismanic significance, even though it is clearly from an unrelated sphere? Although the practical purpose of the barbs on hunting, or as often seen, poisoned weapons, is clear...it seems that numeric symbolism may have some place with a weapon that as you have suggested may have ceremonial intent. Kate, Very intriguing specimen! It's good to see that you are studying the conservation of these most important weapons. I am always relieved when they fall into the hands of responsible individuals who will not overclean or otherwise destroy the integrity of the piece, and properly maintain it to preserve its history. Thank you!!!! All the best, Jim