FINE MANGBETU SPEAR FROM THE TREASURE ROOM OF CHIEF GWATALA, 1980's

The 1980s. The collection comprised mounted spears, spear heads and a few other items. Each spear head is 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, 23 7/8" length with an elegant point of elongated leaf shape compressed in the middle with a spiral twist. Each segment alternates between flat and depressed sections. The bright faces with uniform angled stone polish, each impressed with an elongated crescent. Opened seam conical socket decorated with a three line band on the end. Excellent with good patina.