Ethiopian Spear (From the Battle of Adwa, 1896)

Needle-slim spear of pale cane, finished with the smallest of points.

This spear from the Battle of Adwa, 1896 is from Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the late 19th century. It is bamboo & iron. At Adwa on 1 March 1896 Ethiopian forces defeated an invading Italian army, a victory widely remembered across Africa as a defense of independence. Extremely narrow shaft in a light, reddish tan, nearly uniform from end to end. A tiny dark point crowns the top, and the lower end is simply cut off. Faint node lines show along the length. It is 115 inches high.

Minimalism with a sharp end and no apologies.