A Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

  • Rare & Early Maasai Spear

Rare & Early Maasai Spear
Massai People
German East Africa - British East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania)
Second half 19th century (Ca. 1880)
Steel, wood
Blade: 75,6cm
Blade & Socket: 86,4cm
Butt Spike Length: 101,6cm
Total Length: 203,8cm
Collection Date: 2023
Collection Number: 352



A very early spear of the Eastern African Massai People, whose early spears were more broad bladed than the narrow bladed lion hunting spears seen today. This form transition occurred approximately 1900 to 1920 into the more slender of the type. Here is an early example from the second half of the 19th century and complete with its shaft and butt spike still attached.

The steel blade is massive, leaf-shaped with a prominent central ridge through its entirety. The base is forged with a steel socket. On the other end of the spear, it presents an extremely long steel butt spike, squared structure with a pointed tip. (Slightly bent spike). The blade and spike are separated by a short wooden shaft. An impressive spear not commonly found.