Ethiopian Spear (From the Battle of Adwa, 1896)

Bright blue-gray blade tops a ruler-straight reed shaft.

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. Tall, slim shaft in golden brown with fine segment lines. The blade at the top is long and narrow with a bluish metallic sheen, and the foot ends in a small dark cap. It is 91 inches high.

Thin as a pencil, pointed as a promise.