Ethiopian Spear (From the Battle of Adwa, 1896)

Nearly black at the top and growing paler as it goes down.

This spear from the Battle of Adwa, 1896 is from Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the late 19th century. It is bamboo & iron. A spear of this kind pairs a long shaft with an iron blade, so the wood or bamboo provides reach while the metal does the cutting. Slender shaft that darkens toward the upper end, where a narrow blade barely separates from the wood. The long reddish-brown body shows subtle joints and a plain, thin foot. The wood looks dry and lightly weathered. It is 143 inches high.

Dark at the front and unpretentious behind.