Mongo Currency Spear Blade

  • Mongo Currency Spear Head

  • Mongo Currency Spear Head

  • Mongo Currency Spear Head

  • Mongo Currency Spear Head

  • Mongo Currency Spear Head

  • Mongo Currency Spear Head

Mongo Currency Spear Blade
Mongo, Lokele, So, Olombo, Mba, Hanga, Ngombe, Ngandu, or surrounding neighbors
Stanley Falls District, Congo Free State - Orientale Province, Belgian Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Late 19th - Early 20th century (ca. 1880 - 1900)
Iron
Blade: 69,9cm
Blade & Socket: 75cm
Collection Date: 2023
Collection Number: 377

A large spear blade of the Mongo, Lokele, So or surrounding neighbors. A spear blade of this size would have likely been traded as currency. The large iron spear blade has a rounded flared base, then curves upwards to straighten and ending in a tapered point. The blade with one side having a raised plane, the other, forged at a lower depth, separated by a central fuller. Offset on the reverse side. The lower plane has two fullers that continue almost to the point, while the opposite side mirrors with faint linear incised decoration. Thick and heavy construction, an old blade.

Photo 7: Mbesa Warriors.
Photo 8: The chief with his warriors in Aruwimi District, 1898.