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15th February 2021, 03:35 PM
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#1 |
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Some Zulu? spears and a knobkerrie.
Hi,
Some spears etc that I haven't posted before. Spear 1 Total length 45 inches blade 16 inches. This is the only one I have that has a rattan type grip. |
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15th February 2021, 03:41 PM
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#2 |
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Spear no 2
Length 42 inches blade 15 inches. This one has a wide blade. |
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15th February 2021, 03:43 PM
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#3 |
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Spear no 3
Length 44 inches blade 14inches. |
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15th February 2021, 03:45 PM
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#4 |
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Spear no 4
Length 49 inches blade 12 inches. This one has a wire wrap at the head and cow tail at the end of the shaft. Last edited by Norman McCormick : 15th February 2021 at 04:23 PM. |
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15th February 2021, 03:48 PM
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#5 |
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Spear no 5
Length 38 1/2 inches, spearhead 13 inches, blade 6 1/2 inches. I don't know whether this was cut down for transportation, souvenir, or was cut down to use as a stabbing spear or whether it was made this size. The haft was cut using a blade not a saw. |
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15th February 2021, 03:50 PM
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#6 |
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Spear no 6
Length 52 inches, spearhead 13 inches, blade 3 inches. This one obviously a throwing type. |
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15th February 2021, 03:51 PM
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#7 |
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Knobkerrie
Length 26 inches with dished ball. |
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15th February 2021, 03:53 PM
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#8 |
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Finally a photograph of what I would determine as the stabbing spears, Iklwa, showing the different types of spearheads.
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15th February 2021, 03:55 PM
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#9 |
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One more of my Zulu ? wall. Still looking for a shield! This will give an overall idea of spear sizes in relation to one another.
Regards, Norman. Last edited by Norman McCormick : 15th February 2021 at 04:26 PM. |
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15th February 2021, 07:19 PM
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#10 |
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Awesome collection of Zulu Spears and clubs! Are the spears that are wrapped with hide or rattan older than those wrapped with wire?
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16th February 2021, 07:33 AM
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#11 |
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Very nice Nguni collection Norman, thanks for showing.
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16th February 2021, 08:04 AM
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#12 |
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Location: Ireland
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A very nice collection indeed
I am looking at some Spears which at first glance I took to be Zulu but the tang for the spear head is square rather than round, is this unusual or incorrect? Due to travel lockdown I cant view in person also the butt of the shaft has a round ball like terminal There is wire braiding though which looks to be of good workmanship. any ideas, Regards Ken |
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16th February 2021, 11:10 AM
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#13 | |
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Quote:
Ken, from your description this sounds like from further north, maybe Zimbabwe or Malawi areas. |
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16th February 2021, 01:05 PM
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#14 |
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Location: Ireland
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Thanks Colin
Live auction so no photos as per forum rules If it is going cheap I will go for it. Cheers Ken |
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16th February 2021, 04:09 PM
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#15 | |
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Quote:
Hi, I would think so but Colin is the guy to ask. Thanks for your comments. My Regards, Norman. |
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16th February 2021, 04:11 PM
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#16 | |
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Quote:
Hi Colin, Thanks for your interest. Would you think no's 1,2 and maybe 3 are the older ones ? My Regards, Norman. |
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16th February 2021, 04:12 PM
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#17 | |
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Quote:
Hi Ken, Thanks, had I been quicker off the mark I would have suggested that this was a question for Colin but I see he was faster. My Regards, Norman. |
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17th February 2021, 07:32 AM
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#18 |
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Regarding the age of spears from Southern Africa. Unlike with European Arms, it is difficult to judge the age of African spears, without a collection provenance, old labels etc. In addition the style of spear could stay the same for very long periods.
However, a few pointers regarding age can be :- a) Colour of the wood (wood darkens over time). b) Use of modern materials in manufacture, such as aluminium or telephone wire for binding. c) Quality of work, this tends to be lower in later times. d) I usually think if there are file marks visible on the blade, this indicates later work. The spears shown by Norman, all seem good old 19th century or very early 20th century examples, from the images. Regarding wirework for binding - copper, brass and steel wire (traded from Europeans) has been used on old examples. It seems however, the Zulus mainly preferred hide cow tail for attaching the blade. Some references that can be useful :- "Zulu Treasures" by KwaZulu Cultural and the Local History Museums. 1996 "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" by Lieut-Col. Montague 1921 "The Natural History of Man : Africa" by Rev. J G Wood 1874 |
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17th February 2021, 08:21 AM
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#19 | |
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Quote:
Beautiful display Norman!  |
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17th February 2021, 05:16 PM
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#20 |
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Hi Colin,
Thanks for the information. I remember, I think, reading somewhere that the bigger wider blades tend to be older whether this is true or not I don't know. My Regards, Norman. Hi Sajen, Thanks for your interest. My Regards, Norman. |
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17th February 2021, 09:36 PM
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#21 |
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My three Ik'lwa and an Iwisa.
Note that the Zulu took tribute from the tribes they conquered, including having them make their weapons, so they do vary a bit. The Iwisa (knobkerry in Boer Dutch) were frequently dished, when stored leaning on a wall the dish would have a lump of fat in it to melt and keep the ball head from splitting. Some larger ones had a 2nd dished bit opposite the first and they'd alternate which was up and greased. Zulu throwing spears had more slender shafts, shorter blades and long tangs protruding from the sockets, the Ik'lwa ('assegai' is european) tangs were almost fully hidden by their sockets. Zulu did make their own iron and brass/copper wire before the Europeans. The common soldiers got the ones with cow tail sleeves, braided wire and thongs were for higher ranks. spear and ik'lwa blades almost invariably had a distinctive 'pinch' or notch mark bboth sides where the blade joins the tang. (Bottom) Last edited by kronckew : 17th February 2021 at 09:54 PM. |
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