Sudanese Spear Head

Sudanese Spear Head
Sudanese Arab
Likely Khartoum - Omdurman, Mahdist Sudan (Khartoum - Omdurman, Sudan)
Late 19th (ca. 1880 - 1898)
Iron
Blade: 20,3cm
Overall: 39,4cm
Collection Date: 2025
Collection Number: 494

Ex. American Art Market (2025)

A Sudanese spear head from the Mahdist period, Sudan. One- piece broad leaf- shaped blade of double- edged iron with a medial ridge diamond cross section. Iron shaft incised with four rings at the top. The shaft expands toward the base for the insertion of the wooden shaft.

This is a very heavy war spear head. Made from solid iron, likely steel used from discarded rail lines of Sudan and melted down in the capital armory. There is a slight mix of copper within the blade which can be seen in bright light conditions. The spear is forged asymmetrically with the medial ridge extending more to one side than the other, which is mirrored on the reverse. Typical Sudanese workmanship of the capital Omdurman / Khartoum. Many examples of this type were collected as battlefield pickups, especially after the Battle of Omdurman, September 2, 1898 during the British War Campaign.

Photogrph 15: A display of arms including Sudanese spears in the palace hall of the Governor- General's Palace (Republican Palace) in Khartoum, 1936. Photogaph by G. Eric Matson, American Colony Photo Dept.

[1] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1949-46-694-a

[2] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1972-11-29

[3] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1972-11-53

[4] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1936-0715-26

[5] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1936-0715-25

[6] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1923-0710-39

[7] https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/59576

[8] https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/229124

[9] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6210

[10] https://africanarms.com/gallery.html?3xsudan-gr

[11] https://africanarms.com/gallery.html?2-mahdi-spears-blade-41-x-13-5-cm-and-35-5-x-12-cm

[12] https://africanarms.com/gallery?b-e-sargenaunt-weapons-1908-plate-7