This is a class of spears that are both functional weapons and dowry items, though some may be strictly currency items. There are numerous tribal variations. Ballarini in Black Africa's Traditional Arms p.104 shows two types, along with the Mbole type as "Lance/Currency" although the latter is clearly too fancy to be a functional weapon. Ijzerwerk van centraal-afrika by H. Westerdijk, chapter VII "Ijzergeld" (Iron money) shows some types, and classifies others as status weapons. Jean Elsen mentions currency and status uses for various types in his Beaute Fatale: Armes d'Afrique Centrale. A group of bound-together Mbudja spear points, p.101 Item #116 is captioned "pointes de lance-monnaies" with acquisition dates 1933, 1939 and suggests a general currency use for this type, at least.
The blade shape, shaft type (wood or iron), and shaft end (wood, iron in various shapes) distinguish tribal types.
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590 Ngombe Leaf-shaped iron blade with long haft, wood shaft with characteristic ornamental carved knot and iron or brass wrappings, and a variety of end types . Blade and haft run 24-31 inches and overall spear length 53-75". Commonest type of dowry spar, also used by Ngbandi, Bati, Benge, and Poto. Opitz p.313, right; Ballarini p.104 #61b; Westerdijk p.109-110 #H, J; Elsen #28, 202
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590R Arrow at bottom. | 70.00
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590B Bell at bottom. Westerdijk, p.114 #K, attributes the bell-end type to the Mongo. | 100.00
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592 Ngbaka Leaf-shape flared toward the bottom. The blades are much longer (32+") than the Ngombe and the spear lacks the iron tip, so overall length is shorter (60"). Unusually nice carved knot on shaft. Westerdijk p.109 #G, Elsen p.72 #26
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594 Sakara-Ngando Triangular with rounded bottoms, this is also leaf-shaped, with wooden shaft, copper wrappings, and flattened iron ends. Blade and haft 19-22", overall spear length 64-72". Also used by Kutu, Bole & Yela. Westerdijk p. 113 #G, Elsen p.212 #377
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594H Variant with two sets of circular holes at bottom of blade.
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596 Nkutshu-Tetela Vase-shaped with two circular holes at bulge in bottom, with wooden shaft, copper wrappings, and flattened iron ends. Blade and haft 22-25", overall spear length 66-70". An attractive type. There are several pieces with unusually large or odd-shaped flattened ends. Westerdijk p. 114 #I (3rd from left, bottom row)
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596R Variant Fancy arrow-shaped end.
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598 Nkutshu-Tetela Complex shape with atenuated tip, projections at side, and four (or two) circular holes at bottom, with wooden shaft, copper wrappings, and flattened iron ends. Blade and haft 22-30", overall spear length 62-75". An attractive type. There are several pieces with unusually large or odd-shaped flattened ends. Note: The side projections are usually a bit blunted. Opitz p.313, middle; Ballarini #64a(var); Westerdijk p. 114 #I (bottom left).
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598B Bell at bottom. Bell somewhat rough (example pictured in Bottom variants scan. | 100.00 |
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598G Variant, blade much smaller, with three sets of circular holes. One specimen with flat rather than tapered bottom. Blade and haft 15-18", overall spear length 64-69". Westerdijk p.114 #I (2nd & 3rd from left). Elsen (#376) attributes this variety to Ngandu & Saka Tribes. (Top item in scan SOLD) | 70.00 |
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600 Lokele-So Long, straight blde with flared points toward bottom, wooden shaft with copper wrappings, and flattened end. Blade and haft 22-23", overall spear length 62-66." Westerdijk p. 112 #H and Elsen p.73 #33 show specimens with iron shafts, while this shaft is more typical of the Sakara-Ngando types. Kissipenny und Manilla: Geld und Handel im alten Afrika p.30 #7 "Speerspitzengeld der Benge" but does not show shaft. | 75.00 |
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600G Variant, blade much shorter (12") although blade plus haft are 20-23". One specimen with a rather nice flat end, another has a wooden shaft with copper or brass wrappings, central ornamental carved knot typical of the Ngombe type, but with a rounded iron cap at the bottom. Both nicely made. | 75.00 |
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600J Variants, blades very long (29-33"), wooden shaft with iron wrappings and central ornamental carved knot typical of the Ngombe type, but with a rounded iron cap at the bottom. Note variations in the bottoms of the blades. | 90.00 |
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602 Ngbandi Triangular blade with short flares at flat bottom, two sets of small circular holes, wooden shaft with ornamental carved knot, iron wrappings, and iron-wrapped tip. Blade 15", blade with haft 29", overall spear length 59." Westerdijk p. 118 #D (second from left, bottom row), and Elsen p.165 #233 | 85.00 |
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604A Unattributed Triangular blade with fluted top and flat bottom. Blade is flat without the usual blood channel. Short wooden shaft with copper wrappings, and long (25"), thin iron spike end. Probably from the So-Okombo-Lokele group (sim. Westerdijk p.112 #J). Blade 25", overall spear length 63". | 75.00 |
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604C Nkutshu-Tetela? Fancy blade with waist and side projections, plain wooden shaft with copper wrappings. Blade 19", overall spear length 64". Nothing quite like it in Elsen or Westerdijk, but somewaht like the p.114 #I types. | 75.00 |
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604D Jonga-Mbole Copper blade of fancy design, fully copper-wrapped wooden shaft, and long, slender iron spike bottom. Blade 16", overall spear length 63". Elsen, p. 202 #346 also lists Hamba and Yele Tribes. A delicate, attractive piece. | 100.00 |
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604E Unattributed Unusually long, leaf-shaped blade, thick haft with open "eye" at top, wood shaft with copper wrappings and plain knot, long iron spike bottom. Blade length 33", overall spear length 76". A large, heavy, well-made spear. | 135.00 |
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604F Nkundu-Konda Narrow blade with crenelations, copper wrappings on thin, plain wooden shaft. Blade length 15", overall spear length 65". Additional Tribes noted: Lia, Sengele, Ntomba. Westerdijk p.113 #C (middle), Elsen p.72 #25 | 75.00 |
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604G Ngbandi-Bati-Benge Harpoon-like spear with brbed arrow and three pairs of rotated barbs on a long haft, plain wooden shaft with iron cap at bottom. Blade length 28", overall spear length 67". Westerdijk p.109 #F | 80.00 |
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604H Shi-Havu (Burundi) Extremely long, narrow blade, copper wrappings on thick wooden shaft with plain central knot. Blade length 34", overall spear length 62". Westerdijk p.114 #M | 80.00 |
| SET | DOWRY SPEARS: Four types providing a good representation of this series: #590, 594, 596 and 598, total retail $250. All four: | 210.00 |
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589 Mbole Lance This distinctive, ornamental spear is made by the Mbole of the East-Central Congo, on the lower Lomami River, and is the best-known of the Congo currency spears. They were driven into the ground in front of the bride's home to show that dowry had been paid and she was claimed. Transverse piece at tip repre-sents human head. Usual length 210cm, both the head and shaft are iron. Some specimens have filigrees on the lower edges of the blades as well as the top. Ballarini #65. Sorry, none in stock. | ALIGN="right">NFS |
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589t1 Mbole Lance Head Head only (no shaft). Intact except side points are broken away. 21.5" including socket. | ALIGN="right">60.00 |
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589t2 Mbole Lance Head Head only, with shot wood and leather(?) handle in place of shaft. Intact except side points are broken away, and lower "filigree" elements mostly broken away. 20.5" including socket & handle. | ALIGN="right">45.00 |
