Hello Mervyn, I'm new here so please bear with me.
In 1893 King Lobengula presented 2 ceremonial spears to the first District Commissioner in Ft Victoria (now in Zimbabwe) as a bribe to allow his warriors to pass through that area in order to plunder Shona tribe folk. The DC didnt allow the request but nevertheless retained the spears which I now have. When I figure out how to post a photo of the spears here, I will (tomorrow) - but meantime these are the descriptions with dimensions.
Spear No 1 has the same blade profile as in your 1st posting - 34cms long tapered to a 4cms metal stock before reaching the braided wood shaft. The braiding is 24.5 cms long followed by 15.5cms of wood handle - then 3cms of braiding - then 53.5cms wood shaft - then 2cms braiding followed by 3,5 cms of wood shaft to the end of the spear. The shaft is tapered gradually to be larger at the end. Total length = 140.5cms.
Spear No 2 has the same shaped blade 22,5cms long with an iron stock 13cms long to the braided wooden shaft. The braid is 23cms long - then 2.5cms wood shaft - then 4cms braid - then 3.75cms shaft - then 2,25cms braid - then 46.5cms wood shaft - then 2,5cms braid - then 4,5cms wood shaft - then 0,75 braid - then 2,5cms wood shaft and finally 9cms of leather thong up to the end. Total length 136 cms.
The copper braiding on both these spears is unbelievably exquisite - I cannot imagine how it was done so prefectly.
These items should be with a collector - how do I find out what theyre worth and how does one go about selling them?
Many thanks,
Keith