Spear-head, Zande?
Other views of this artifact:
Accession Number:
1942.8.60
Country:
?Sudan
Region:
?Kordofan ?Darfur
Cultural Group:
?Zande
Date Made:
By 1891
Materials:
Iron Metal
Process:
Forged (Metal) , Hammered , Socketed , Decorated , Incised
Dimensions:
L = 399, blade L = 93, W = 17.5, th = 2.9; W upper shank = 9.3, th = 6.7, diam socket = 15.8 x 15.5 mm [RTS 27/6/2005].
Weight:
172.3 g
Other Owners:
Bought in Egypt in 1891, collector unknown; entered in PRM records as a donation of Henry Balfour for convenience
PRM Source:
?Henry Balfour
Acquired:
?Donated August 1942
Collected Date:
1891
Description:
Iron spearhead consisting of a short, narrow leaf-shaped blade, thickened down the centre on both sides to form a slight ridge.
This merges with a long shank, the upper part of which has been hammered flat on four sides to create a rectangular section.
2 long, downward-pointing barbs have been shaped to flank the top of the shank, with another downward barb halfway down this section, and an upright pointing barb at its base.
All four barbs have round sections and taper to pointed ends.
The shank itself has been decorated with pairs of lightly incised lines, forming a zigzag pattern down the centre of the front and back faces, framed by incised hatching on either side.
Below this section the shank becomes round again, then there is a second, very short rectangular block.
This has been defined at its top and base by deep-cut grooves, chiselled into the surface of the shank, with the metal pulled out slightly from the surface to form very short barbs.
The flat front and back faces of this section have been decorated in a style similar to that described previously, with hatching running down either edge, and in this case, with row of oblique hatching between.
Immediately below this the spearhead ends in a socket that tapers out to its base, with a seam running down the front.
The seam is partially open, but sealed just above the bottom.
The object is complete and intact, although it has a slight yellowish tinge that is the result of a former conservation treatment; it is otherwise a metallic light gray colour (Pantone 420C).
There are what may be incised lines around the edges of the blade, but these are no longer clear.
It has a weight of 172.3 grams, and is 399 mm long, with a blade length of 93 mm, width of 17.5 mm and thickness of 2.9 mm at its centre.
The upper part of the shank is 9.3 mm wide and 6.7 mm thick; the socket has a diameter of 15.8 by 15.5 mm.
Bought in Egypt in 1891; the original collector's name was not recorded. The style of this object suggests that an origin in either Darfur or amongst one of the Nilotic groups of the Southern Sudan is quite possible.
Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.
Bought in Egypt in 1891; the original collector's name was not recorded. The style of this object suggests that an origin in either Darfur or amongst one of the Nilotic groups of the Southern Sudan is quite possible.
Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry
[p.
125, August 1942] -
The late Henry Balfour, F.R.S.
, Miscellaneous specimens found unlabelled, entered for convenience as donations of the late Curator.
[p.
135] 1942.8.60
- Socketed iron spear-head, small leaf-shaped blade, barbed and ornamented shank.
Same data.
[as 1942.8.56 = "Probably ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN (? NUBIA, KORDOFAN, DARFUR, possibly also from further west; HAUSA, or further South: ZANDE, MANGBETU)."]
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the catalogue card [RTS 28/1/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - Socketed spear-head with barbed shank. ?ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN. Bought in EGYPT, 1891. 1942.8.60 [rectangular metal-edged tag, tied to object; RTS 24/6/2005].
Related Documents File - In the Related Documents File is a list detailing: "Donors, or probable donors, of material entered under Mr. Balfour's name. ... 1942.8.56-61. No suggestion. (Bought in Egypt, 1891)" [MR 10/5/2000].
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the catalogue card [RTS 28/1/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - Socketed spear-head with barbed shank. ?ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN. Bought in EGYPT, 1891. 1942.8.60 [rectangular metal-edged tag, tied to object; RTS 24/6/2005].
Related Documents File - In the Related Documents File is a list detailing: "Donors, or probable donors, of material entered under Mr. Balfour's name. ... 1942.8.56-61. No suggestion. (Bought in Egypt, 1891)" [MR 10/5/2000].
