Spearhead
This item has been sold.
Overall length

44.4 cm

Blade length

27 cm

Blade thickness

Base 13 mm

At widening 9 mm

Near tip 6 mm

Blade width

Widest at base 52 mm

At widening 47.5 mm

Near tip 16.5 mm

Socket

Inside diameter 26 mm

Outside diamter 34 mm

Weight

771 grams

Origin

China

Materials

Iron

Dating

16th to 18th century

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Spearheads and especially Chinese spearheads are very hard to date because styles changed little over time, plus we lack a group of spears with good provenance which we can use as a dating benchmark. The patina on exposed parts like the socket is usually only a function of storage conditions, not of actual age. 

Nevertheless, here I have a spearhead that I think could be late Ming (1368-1644) by virtue of its pronounced shape.

It is heavy, well-made for Chinese work and probably a military issue. The base is rounded, then follows a "waisted" area, after which the spearhead tapers gradually towards its tip. Both edges ahead of the waisted area are sharp.

The head is forged on a socket with two multi-facetted bolsters. The cross-section above and in-between the bolsters is octagonal, while the socketed end in the bottom is round in cross-section.

Some nicks in the edge, possibly from actual use. Mild pitting a deep dark brown patina throughout.

Antique Chinese spearhead
Antique Chinese spearhead
Antique Chinese spearhead
Antique Chinese spearhead
Antique Chinese spearhead

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