Spear
Spears were a versatile tool for royal hunting expeditions, as demonstrated by their depiction in the paintings nearby. They were used while either on foot or on horseback, and could be thrust or thrown. Some spears were made of a single piece of iron or steel; others comprised a wooden shaft and steel spear head. Inlaid with gold, this example was intended to be both lethal and beautiful.
Artwork Details
- Title: Spear
- Date: 18th century
- Culture: North Indian
- Medium: Steel, gold
- Dimensions: L. 50 1/2 in. (128.3 cm); L. of head 19 in. (48.3 cm); W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); Wt. 1 lbs. 6.1 oz. (626.5 g)
- Classification: Shafted Weapons
- Credit Line: The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932
- Object Number: 32.75.292
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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blade, possibly Iranian; guard and decoration on blade, Turkish; grip, Indian
blade, 18th–19th century; guard and decoration on blade, 19th century; grip, 18th century
Indian, Mughal
1605–27
grip, Indian; guard, scabbard, and decoration on blade, Turkish; blade, Iranian
grip, 18th or 19th century; guard and scabbard, 19th century; blade, dated A.H. 1099/1688 CE; decoration on blade, 19th century
Indian, Sindh (now Pakistan)
late 18th–first half of the 19th century
Indian
18th century
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