Sino-Tibetan ‘Qiang’ Spearhead
Price
Status
Available
Region
East Asia (China, Korea, Japan), Himalayan (Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan)
(China, Qing Dynasty (1668-1912))
Period
17th/18th century
Materials
Iron, Silver, Gold
Description
The spear, or polearms in fact, are often neglected among many collectors due to their use often is less known and most polearms lack the details in craftsmanship as we are used to see on swords and pistols. However, the spear was one of the most important weapons on the battlefield, especially before the invention of gunpowder. Spears and polearms were used to keep the opponent at distant, long before there was an actual need to use the sword.
In China, the spear is mostly called ‘Qiang’ or ‘Mao’ and has its origin in ancient times but developed into a certain standard type during the modern period. The ‘Qiang’ usually consists of a hollow socked, an iron or brass bolster and a double edged tapering tip. Decoration on polearms is hardly seen and is mostly attributed to high ranked examples.
Our example:
A wonderful and rare example with typical Sino-Tibetan influences. The socket features a crosshatched silver decoration of a dragon chasing a flaming pearl surrounded by clouds on both sides. The socket rim and bolster are both decorated in gold. The socket features a small drilled hole to which the shaft was attached to prevent losing it.
The spearhead is elegantly formed with a slight taper, as the earlier examples tend to have. The blade consists of a narrowing blade with medial ridge running down the entire tip. The tip is thickened and slightly wider than the mid-section.
Spear like these are extremely rare. A similar is seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York with a similar construction, yet different decoration and bolster. The decoration features influences from the Tibetan ‘Mdung’ spears which emphasizes its Sino-Tibetan origin.
Sino-Tibetan ‘Qiang’ Spearhead
Condition
Good condition
Dimensions
Length: 33.5cm
Shaft length: 11cm
Thickness at the base: 14.5mm
Thickness at the tip: 6.3mm
Weight
508g.
Comparable items
The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York acc.nr.2000.206a, b
Provenance
Dutch private collection
Literature
Donald J. Larocca – Warrior of the Himalayas , Rediscovering the Arms and Armor of Tibet.