Spear with Sheath
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Wood, silver
Dimensions
L. with sheath 98 in. (248.9 cm); L. without sheath 97 in. (246.3 cm); L. of head 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); L. of ferrule 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm); W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); Wt. 2 lbs. 4.3 oz. (1029.1 g); Wt. of sheath 3.8 oz. (107.7 g)
Classification
Shafted Weapons
Culture
Malayan
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.2010a, b
Art Historical Context
This magnificent *Spear with Sheath from 18th–19th century Mal exemplifies the fusion of functionality and artistry in Southeast Asian. Crafted from wood the long shaft—measuring nearly 98 inches (248.9 cm) with its sheath accented with silver on the 12½-inch (31.8 cm) blade head and 6⅛-inch (15.6 cm) ferrule, it weighs just over 2 pounds (1029.1 g) without the lightweight 3.8-ounce (107.7 g) sheath. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department, it entered the collection through the 1935 bequest of George C. Stone. In Malayan culture, spanning regions like modern-da...