A bronze spear head ... African ?

fernando · 21st January 2009, 12:55 AM

Bronze or brass ... i wonder.
Total length 31 cms (12 1/4").
Blade edges about sharp.
Interesting that the decoration (chiseling) on the socket was done after it was bent, as the design lines coincide ... if i make myself clear.
Will someone tell me where this piece would be from?
Also its possible age?
Thanks
Fernando

.

Atlantia · 21st January 2009, 02:02 AM

Very nice!

Bronze is the material used for weapons, but 'bronze' covers a family of copper alloys with literally endless variations in recipe. Essentially its a mixture of Copper and tin, but there are plently of impurities and small amounts of other metals that find there way into the mix depending on where it was made.
Brass is usually mixed for a more 'brassy' gold decorative colour.
Unless the flash is bleaching the true colour out of your spearhead then it looks paler, with a browning patina. Like you'd expect from a bronze weapon.
Whats it like inside the shaft socket? There isn't much patina on the outisde.

Not sure where in Africa its from sorry.

Gene

katana · 21st January 2009, 06:01 PM

Hi Fernando,
almost certainly African but likely to be more ceremonial than functional. There are a number of tribes that regard iron/steel as a negative (spiritually / religiously). Hopefully Tim will 'jump in' ...he is quite knowledgeable on this subject.

Regards David

Lew · 21st January 2009, 06:48 PM

Seems West African to me.

fernando · 21st January 2009, 08:00 PM

Thank you Gene.
I am not particulary worried about the rigour of its metal composition ... was more a means to call it by the right name.
Concerning patina, i would say that it had some cleaning during its life, as may be seen in the chiseling depths.
Fernando

fernando · 21st January 2009, 08:02 PM

Thank you David,
My first thought was that it is ceremonial; that's why i was surprised with its blade edge significant sharpeness.
Yes, it would be good if Tim jumped in.
Fernando

Atlantia · 21st January 2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Thank you Gene.
I am not particulary worried about the rigour of its metal composition ... was more a means to call it by the right name.
Concerning patina, i would say that it had some cleaning during its life, as may be seen in the chiseling depths.
Fernando

Those are better, it looks really nice!!
Patina inside the socket looks good!

I love bronze weapons.
And whilst not as strong as steel, its still a good strong material.
I agree its probobly ceremonial. But I wondered if it was made of the softer metal to deliberately easily deform on impact?
Some cultures use soft headed spears, as when thrown, a 'one use' head is an advantage. If it hits a man or the ground and the head deforms it is useless for your foes to throw it back!
Just a thought, probobly barking up the wrong tree!
Very nice thing though, I always wanted the Luristani Bronze weapons.

Norman McCormick · 21st January 2009, 10:15 PM

Hi,
Here's another one, 13 1/2 inches long.
Regards,
Norman.

fernando · 21st January 2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
Here's another one, 13 1/2 inches long.
Regards,
Norman.

A very nice one, Norman,
Beautiful colour ... more copper like.
What do you know about it ?
Fernando

Norman McCormick · 21st January 2009, 11:42 PM

Hi Fernando,
I'm afraid I know no more than Tim was able to tell me i.e. sub-Saharan and ceremonial. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
My Regards,
Norman.

21st January 2009, 12:55 AM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	A bronze spear head ... African ? Bronze or brass ... i wonder. Total length 31 cms (12 1/4"). Blade edges about sharp. Interesting that the decoration (chiseling) on the socket was done after it was bent, as the design lines coincide ... if i make myself clear. Will someone tell me where this piece would be from? Also its possible age? Thanks Fernando . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 21st January 2009 at 01:13 AM.

21st January 2009, 08:00 PM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Thank you Gene. I am not particulary worried about the rigour of its metal composition ... was more a means to call it by the right name. Concerning patina, i would say that it had some cleaning during its life, as may be seen in the chiseling depths. Fernando Attached Images

21st January 2009, 10:15 PM	#8
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,575	Hi, Here's another one, 13 1/2 inches long. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

21st January 2009, 02:02 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Very nice! Bronze is the material used for weapons, but 'bronze' covers a family of copper alloys with literally endless variations in recipe. Essentially its a mixture of Copper and tin, but there are plently of impurities and small amounts of other metals that find there way into the mix depending on where it was made. Brass is usually mixed for a more 'brassy' gold decorative colour. Unless the flash is bleaching the true colour out of your spearhead then it looks paler, with a browning patina. Like you'd expect from a bronze weapon. Whats it like inside the shaft socket? There isn't much patina on the outisde. Not sure where in Africa its from sorry. Gene

21st January 2009, 06:01 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Fernando, almost certainly African but likely to be more ceremonial than functional. There are a number of tribes that regard iron/steel as a negative (spiritually / religiously). Hopefully Tim will 'jump in' ...he is quite knowledgeable on this subject. Regards David

21st January 2009, 06:48 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Seems West African to me.

21st January 2009, 08:02 PM	#6
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Thank you David, My first thought was that it is ceremonial; that's why i was surprised with its blade edge significant sharpeness. Yes, it would be good if Tim jumped in. Fernando

21st January 2009, 11:42 PM	#10
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,575	Hi Fernando, I'm afraid I know no more than Tim was able to tell me i.e. sub-Saharan and ceremonial. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. My Regards, Norman.