FINE MANGBETU SPEAR FROM THE TREASURE ROOM OF CHIEF GWATALA

Given to a German industrialist about 1910, subsequently sold by his heirs in Amsterdam in the 1980s. The collection comprised mounted spears, spear heads and a few other items. Each spear head finely forged with black scale surfaces opposite bright "white" surfaces laboriously polished by slaves. We sold over 50 fully mounted examples matching these but for the hafts, at $500-$1250.00. They sold out based on their ranking among the finest in private hands. This example, 18 3/4" length with extraordinary barbed leaf shaped blade of offset section, the bright faces with uniform angled stone polish, each impressed with three elongated crescents. Opened seam conical socket decorated with a four line band on each end. Excellent with good patina.