Shields, Spears & Weapons from African Sporting Creations

[African Sporting Creations]

We are partial to Zulu Shields, Maasai lion spears/shields and intricately crafted Kuba spears from the Congo. Many sizes, materials and tribes are represented in our extensive inventory. Most of our items are at least 75-100 years old and some are much older. They were acquired from European museums or at auction. Many are coated from the soot of hundreds of wood fires and are readily distinguishable from their mass-produced replicas. The items shown are a small sampling of our collection.

Please keep in mind that our online inventory sells quickly, however we set aside a few special pieces that are not offered on our site or in our annual catalog to serve as substitute items.

We have one of the largest African weapons collections in the country and are particularly fond of Maasai Lion and Zulu stabbing (Iklwa) spears. Very Old (pre-1900), Old (1900-1930), Antique (up to 1960) and Current items available.


Spear Collection from the Congo

This decorative, eleven spear collection came back just after WW II when the Congo was of intense interest to both the US and the USSR, as it had one of the few Uranium mines in the world. At the start of the Cold War, both countries were trying to build up their inventory of nuclear weapons. The gentleman who bought this back worked for a Pan American Company in the Congo.

The tallest spear is 64” and the shortest one is 53”. Each one has a 4” metal spike on the bottom and the decorative top metal (shaft and blade) ranges in length from 23”-12” long. Most of the shafts have a spiral decoration on them and three look like they have been replaced. The shaft on the spear in the #5 position has been replaced since the photo was taken with a natural African mahogany shaft of the same diameter and length.

The stand is hand forged steel and is riveted together. It is 20” wide at the top, 12” wide at the tapered bottom and the two sets of feet are 11” from front to back. When the metal stand has all the spears in it, it measures 34” from the tip of the shortest spear on one side, to the tip of the shortest spear on the other side.

We have seen miniature versions of the above, usually with decorative beading on spears that are approximately 24” long but have never come across one that displays full size spears in over three decades of collecting. This unique piece will look great in a corner or against a wall and we do not expect it to last long

 

[African Sporting Creations]

TOP ROW: Shields & Knobkerrie

A - Current 24” thin leather Maasai shield
B - urrent 24” thin leather Maasai shield
C - Antique, hand-painted, Ethiopian ceremonial shield depicting warriors carrying spears along the rim. Thick leather is 18” across and 8” tall with heavy-duty handle\
D -
Very old 28” Zulu War period Knobkerrie that has seen heavy use. Bulbous head has age cracks and was used extensively by an individual who amassed an amazing number of close quarter victories. Zulu warriors were known to notch their clubs just like old Western gunslingers, and this one has 16 of them in 3 different places around the top of the shaft. Split cow tail wrapping is still intact which is unusual for a piece this old and has a short, old chain near the grip for hanging. Your opportunity to own an amazing piece of African history.


MIDDLE ROW: Maasai Lion Spears

1. Old 63” Senior Maasai Lion Spear with wide blade that is nicely crafted
2. Old 69” Junior (tan shaft) Maasai Lion Spear with excellent workmanship and 33” top section
3. Old beautifully crafted 69” Senior Maasai Lion Spear with 36” top section
4. Old 73” Senior Maasai Lion Spear with very long, nicely forged blade and nice bottom metal
5. Old 74”Junior Maasai Lion Spear with very long, nicely forged blade
6. Very old 77” Senior Moran Lion Spear with everything you look for in a museum quality piece; excellent metal work with a short shaft, flared guard, very long blade and detailed bottom metal
7. ld, heavy and extra-long 80” Senior Moran Lion Spear with nice, wide blade. Covered with a thin coat of rust but happy to remove it if you like at no extra charge
8. Rare, old matched pair of 82” Jr. Moran Lion Spears (perfect for crossing) with nice top and bottom metal work. Comes with an old pair of Maasai leather sandals
9. Old 78” Senior Moran Lion Spear with nice wide blade and bottom metal details
10. Old, heavy 73” Senior Moran Lion Spear with ebony shaft and nice metal work
11. Very old 73” Senior Moran Lion Spear with everything you look for in a museum quality piece, excellent metal work with a short shaft, flared guard and detailed bottom metal
12. Very old 71” Senior Moran Lion Spear with everything you look for in a museum quality piece, excellent metal work with a short shaft, flared guard and detailed bottom metal. If other matched pair is sold, then #13 is almost identical to this one
13. Old 71” Jr. Moran Lion Spear with a twisted blade that usually indicates it was thrown into a heavily muscled animal
14. Old, heavy 69” Senior Moran Lion Spear that has seen plenty of service
15. Old 68” Senior Moran Lion Spear with nice wide blade and bottom metal details
16. Old, heavy 67” Senior Moran Lion Spear with two-tone wood shaft and great metal details
17. Old, heavy, 61” Senior Moran Lion Spear


BOTTOM ROW: Shields

E - Old 31” heavy, nicely crafted Maasai shield
F - Old 27” Maasai shield with good colors in nice shape
G - Large 29” scraped Maasai shield recently made in Tanzania with vibrant colors.
H - Large 29” hair-on Maasai shield recently made in Tanzania with good colors.

 

[Brent in Az]

Very nice collection! I like the design and colors of those shields.

 

[African Sporting Creations]

Thank you for your comments. Almost all of the shields are sold already but if you let us know what you are interested we can always contact you when that shows up.

 

[CAustin]

Beautiful Spears and shields.