Alex

The spear is Zulu, one of the best in my collection. Huge and heavy bladed, the spear not only has two fine sections of intricately woven brass wire, but the haft is also made from red ivory wood which indicates this spear was only used by a very senior Zulu warrior, probably an induna of one of the 'amabutho' or Zulu regiments.

This very fine spear measures 40 inches long and is very heavy. The huge broad blade is 17 inches by over 2 inches and certainly dates back to before the 1879 Zulu war. It may well be one of the famed broad-bladed stabbers introduced by Shaka in the early 1800s, with excellent pitting and retaining all the original patina, it is a magnificent example of Zulu metalwork.

The blade is bound to the short stocky haft by brass wirework of the finest quality, below which the red ivory wooden haft glows and gleams and is silky smooth. The base of the haft tapers outwards and again is bound with fine quality brass wirework.

Acquired in 2001 from the Malakatha Mountain just 10 kms south of the Isandlwana battlefield where King Cetewayo's main Zulu army wiped out the British camp in January of 1879.