Indonesian/Indian Ankus or Spearhead?

A. G. Maisey · 2nd September 2017, 01:48 AM

The item with the bird base blade is stylistically Javanese and very probably of Javanese origin, I've got some pics of similar things somewhere, but I can't remember which book, if I can find them, I'll post them. In any case, it is a tombak, a spear, in this case, ornamental/ceremonial.

The other item with the human/beast style base has a vague hint of Jawa, but I'd need to handle it before I could decide on whether it was likely to be Javanese craftsmanship or not. If it is Javanese it was most likely intended for use as a finial, probably above a banner.

2nd September 2017, 01:48 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	The item with the bird base blade is stylistically Javanese and very probably of Javanese origin, I've got some pics of similar things somewhere, but I can't remember which book, if I can find them, I'll post them. In any case, it is a tombak, a spear, in this case, ornamental/ceremonial. The other item with the human/beast style base has a vague hint of Jawa, but I'd need to handle it before I could decide on whether it was likely to be Javanese craftsmanship or not. If it is Javanese it was most likely intended for use as a finial, probably above a banner.