Central Asia, Northeastern India / Northwestern Burma, Naga people, ca. early 20th century CE. A fabulous pair of wooden spears from the Naga people with tapered lower ends and a formidable head on one. On both shafts, two tufts of goat or horsehair are dyed with red and black pigments and then fastened to the handle with lengths of dense rattan fibers. These strips are wrapped around the shaft, leaving an area open for the handle in the center, and are bordered by woven rattan. A forged steel blade head rests atop the pole of one, its petaloid blade projecting from a folded socketing shaft. The tips of both spears feature an iron spike attachment, perhaps as extra defense, but probably for resting these spears upright in the ground. These spears were made for ceremonial and ritualistic use and carried by warriors who had achieved honor. An impressive display of textural adornments and colors. Size (largest): 3" W x 72.5" H (7.6 cm x 184.2 cm); 73" H (185.4 cm) on included custom stand; (shortest): 3" W x 66.5" H (7.6 cm x 168.9 cm); 67" H (170.2 cm) on included custom stand

The name Naga is given to a series of hill tribes in southeastern Asia. Scholars posit that the name of these people's may in part derive from their worship of snakes; Naga was the Hindu cobra deity. Naga may also stem from the Hindustan word "nag" which means mountain. For more information about the Naga people please reference J. H. Hutton's "The Sema Nagas" (1921).

Provenance: private Chicago, Illinois, USA collection; ex-Doug Dawson Gallery B.C. Holland GalleryBoth in Chicago

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#164464

Fraying and shedding of hairs. Some loss of bristles along body. Larger spear has loss and chip to iron on base tip. Small spear missing iron spear head but retains iron base tip. Nice preservation overall.