Two new South Pacific Spears

Kmaddock · 17th March 2022, 03:43 PM

Hi

I just purchased 3 spears, these 2 all wooden ones they came with a Zulu throwing spear and at the price I paid these 2 came in basically for free as the Zulu one was what I wanted.

Both look like palm wood and they are both just over 6 foot in length and both are definitely old as there are some nice stabilised cracks in the timber from drying out .

The tips are not pointy but this could be just wear and tear from poor storage

The one on the right has a v straight handle with barbs on the top held on with some sort of resin and fibres, I think it is a fishing spear from the Solomon islands region?

The other one has serrations carved into the shaft and some decoration also carved into the haft.
All very rudimentary decoration but v nice to the eye and the shaft is made from a not too straight piece of timber.

Would this also be a fishing one?

Neither look touristy and going on other items in my collection I would think around 100 years old or more for both

So what have I got and from where might they originate any information greatly appreciated.

Regards and happy St Patricks day from Ireland.

Ken

Tim Simmons · 18th March 2022, 09:23 AM

They look Papuan to me rather than Solomon or New Hebrides.

Kmaddock · 20th March 2022, 02:03 PM

Thanks Tim
I have no expertise at all in this area so I will take it that you are correct.
Would the one without barbs be for hunting game as opposed to fish and would you have any opinion on age.
Regards
Ken

17th March 2022, 03:43 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 532	Two new South Pacific Spears Hi I just purchased 3 spears, these 2 all wooden ones they came with a Zulu throwing spear and at the price I paid these 2 came in basically for free as the Zulu one was what I wanted. Both look like palm wood and they are both just over 6 foot in length and both are definitely old as there are some nice stabilised cracks in the timber from drying out . The tips are not pointy but this could be just wear and tear from poor storage The one on the right has a v straight handle with barbs on the top held on with some sort of resin and fibres, I think it is a fishing spear from the Solomon islands region? The other one has serrations carved into the shaft and some decoration also carved into the haft. All very rudimentary decoration but v nice to the eye and the shaft is made from a not too straight piece of timber. Would this also be a fishing one? Neither look touristy and going on other items in my collection I would think around 100 years old or more for both So what have I got and from where might they originate any information greatly appreciated. Regards and happy St Patricks day from Ireland. Ken Attached Images

18th March 2022, 09:23 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	They look Papuan to me rather than Solomon or New Hebrides.

20th March 2022, 02:03 PM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 532	Thanks Tim I have no expertise at all in this area so I will take it that you are correct. Would the one without barbs be for hunting game as opposed to fish and would you have any opinion on age. Regards Ken