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Spears Collection (#4)

Spears have played a significant role throughout history, serving as both weapons of war and tools for hunting

Background imageSpears Collection: The Boar-Hunt - painted by Rubens - from the Gallery of the late King of Holland, 1850

The Boar-Hunt - painted by Rubens - from the Gallery of the late King of Holland, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The Boar-Hunt - painted by Rubens - from the Gallery of the late King of Holland, 1850. This magnificent picture was formerly in the gallery of the late King of Holland, at the Hague

Background imageSpears Collection: Men Attacking Wolves ('Rien de Trop III'), 1732. Creator: Jean-Baptiste Oudry

Men Attacking Wolves ("Rien de Trop III"), 1732. Creator: Jean-Baptiste Oudry
Men Attacking Wolves ("Rien de Trop III"), 1732

Background imageSpears Collection: Group of Marathas during the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1819)

Group of Marathas during the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1819), between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire, India. Date: 1818

Background imageSpears Collection: Indians Discovering Lewis and Clark, 1896 (oil on canvas)

Indians Discovering Lewis and Clark, 1896 (oil on canvas)
PNP274186 Indians Discovering Lewis and Clark, 1896 (oil on canvas) by Russell, Charles Marion (1865-1926); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSpears Collection: Shanuy Mode, supreme ruler of the Huns

Shanuy Mode, supreme ruler of the Huns
Shanuy Mode, Ruler of Mode, supreme ruler of the Huns

Background imageSpears Collection: Mammoth hunt, Stone Age in Kazakhstan area

Mammoth hunt, Stone Age in Kazakhstan area
Stone Age tribal people in the Kazakhstan area, hunting a large mammoth with spears in the snow. 8700-2000 BCE

Background imageSpears Collection: Sudan - A group of Hadendoa Warriors

Sudan - A group of Hadendoa Warriors. The Hadendoa is the name of a nomadic subdivision of the Beja people, known for their support of the Mahdiyyah rebellion during the 1880s to 1890s

Background imageSpears Collection: The spirit of the past-Apsaroke, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

The spirit of the past-Apsaroke, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The spirit of the past-Apsaroke, c1908. Four Crow men on horseback holding feathered spears

Background imageSpears Collection: Aeneas says Farewell to Dido, 1679 (tapestry weave: silk and wool)

Aeneas says Farewell to Dido, 1679 (tapestry weave: silk and wool)
XOS5886558 Aeneas says Farewell to Dido, 1679 (tapestry weave: silk and wool) by Romanelli, Giovanni Francesco (Il Viterbese) (1610-62); 403x394 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Background imageSpears Collection: The Rabbit Hunt, 1560 (etching)

The Rabbit Hunt, 1560 (etching)
XOS5884317 The Rabbit Hunt, 1560 (etching) by Brueghel, Pieter The Elder (c.1525-69); 24.3x31.8 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Background imageSpears Collection: Hunters Pursuing a Deer, c.1430-40 (tempera colours, gold paint, silver paint & gold leaf)

Hunters Pursuing a Deer, c.1430-40 (tempera colours, gold paint, silver paint & gold leaf)
8678061 Hunters Pursuing a Deer, c.1430-40 (tempera colours, gold paint, silver paint & gold leaf) by French School, (15th century); J

Background imageSpears Collection: David and Goliath, c.1480-85 (tempera colours & gold)

David and Goliath, c.1480-85 (tempera colours & gold)
8677957 David and Goliath, c.1480-85 (tempera colours & gold) by Master of the Dresden Prayer Books (fl.c.1460-1520); J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Background imageSpears Collection: Dido and Aeneas, 1679 (tapestry weave: silk and wool)

Dido and Aeneas, 1679 (tapestry weave: silk and wool)
XOS5886546 Dido and Aeneas, 1679 (tapestry weave: silk and wool) by Romanelli, Giovanni Francesco (Il Viterbese) (1610-62); Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Background imageSpears Collection: Roman invasion of Britain - early 20th century illustration

Roman invasion of Britain - early 20th century illustration
3783258 Roman invasion of Britain - early 20th century illustration; (add.info.: Roman invasion of Britain - early 20th century illustration. Landing on the coast of Kent)

Background imageSpears Collection: Boudica / Boadicea

Boudica / Boadicea
3789778 Boudica / Boadicea; (add.info.: Boudica or Boadicea, Queen of the British Iceni tribe, a Celtic tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire)

Background imageSpears Collection: Boudica / Boadicea

Boudica / Boadicea
3789775 Boudica / Boadicea; (add.info.: Boudica or Boadicea, Queen of the British Iceni tribe, a Celtic tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire)

Background imageSpears Collection: Civic Guard of Ghent (Brotherhood of St. Sebastian)

Civic Guard of Ghent (Brotherhood of St. Sebastian)
3781898 Civic Guard of Ghent (Brotherhood of St. Sebastian; (add.info.: Civic Guard of Ghent (Brotherhood of St. Sebastian), middle ages. From a painting on the wall of the Chapel of St. John and St

Background imageSpears Collection: Manner of holding the line, when a walrus is struck, 1824 (engraving)

Manner of holding the line, when a walrus is struck, 1824 (engraving)
3672045 Manner of holding the line, when a walrus is struck, 1824 (engraving) by Finden, Edward Francis (1791-1857); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois

Background imageSpears Collection: Military oath of malagasy soldiers, 1811 (Engraving)

Military oath of malagasy soldiers, 1811 (Engraving)
7422816 Military oath of malagasy soldiers, 1811 (Engraving) by French School, (19th century); (add.info.: History. Madagascar. Military oath of malagasy soldiers)

Background imageSpears Collection: Navajos, 1856 (lithograph)

Navajos, 1856 (lithograph)
3672291 Navajos, 1856 (lithograph) by American School, (19th century); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois, USA; (add.info.: [Lithographs of North American Indian portraits, antiquities, landscapes)

Background imageSpears Collection: Eskimaux, listening at a seal-hole, in the act of striking a seal, 1824 (engraving)

Eskimaux, listening at a seal-hole, in the act of striking a seal, 1824 (engraving)
3671982 Eskimaux, listening at a seal-hole, in the act of striking a seal, 1824 (engraving) by Finden, Edward Francis (1791-1857); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois

Background imageSpears Collection: Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print)

Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print)
3434841 Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print) by Gallina, Gallo (1796-1874); (add.info.: Handcoloured copperplate print by Ant)

Background imageSpears Collection: Battle scene, c.1524 (pen, ink & wash)

Battle scene, c.1524 (pen, ink & wash)
8601281 Battle scene, c.1524 (pen, ink & wash) by Holbein the Younger, Hans (1497/8-1543); Kunstmuseum, Basel, Switzerland; (add.info.: By Hans Holbein the Younger)

Background imageSpears Collection: St George (d. c303), the Red Cross Knight, killing the Dragon, 1598 (woodcut)

St George (d. c303), the Red Cross Knight, killing the Dragon, 1598 (woodcut)
536736 St George (d. c303), the Red Cross Knight, killing the Dragon, 1598 (woodcut) by English School, (19th century); (add.info.: Patron saint of England, Catalonia, Genoa, Greece, Portugal)

Background imageSpears Collection: Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print)

Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print)
FLO4622025 Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print) by Gallina, Gallo (1796-1874); (add.info.: Cortes in a suit of plate armor with cloak and sash)

Background imageSpears Collection: Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print)

Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print)
GIA4813929 Hernan Cortes meeting Montezuma II in 1519, 19th century (print) by Gallina, Gallo (1796-1874); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cortes in a suit of plate armor with cloak and sash)

Background imageSpears Collection: The Norman cavalry attacks the English shield-wall and battle is joined

The Norman cavalry attacks the English shield-wall and battle is joined, 1070 (wool embroidery on linen)
XCF115624 The Norman cavalry attacks the English shield-wall and battle is joined, 1070 (wool embroidery on linen) by English School, (11th century); Musee de la Tapisserie, Bayeux

Background imageSpears Collection: Boudica / Boadicea, 18th century (print)

Boudica / Boadicea, 18th century (print)
3790592 Boudica / Boadicea, 18th century (print); (add.info.: Boudica or Boadicea, Queen of the British Iceni tribe, a Celtic tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman)

Background imageSpears Collection: Relief of the Dioscuri, from Sparta, Greece, 600-550 BC (marble)

Relief of the Dioscuri, from Sparta, Greece, 600-550 BC (marble)
3475890 Relief of the Dioscuri, from Sparta, Greece, 600-550 BC (marble) by Greek; Archaeological Museum of Sparta, Greece; (add.info.: Castor and Pollux)

Background imageSpears Collection: The Battle of Towton, West Riding of Yorkshire, fought in a snowstorm on 29 March 1461

The Battle of Towton, West Riding of Yorkshire, fought in a snowstorm on 29 March 1461, during the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487). It was a Yorkist victory. Date: 1461

Background imageSpears Collection: Hadendoa Warrior, Sudan - Fuzzy-Wuzzy by John Hassall - Union Jack Club Date: 1907

Hadendoa Warrior, Sudan - Fuzzy-Wuzzy by John Hassall - Union Jack Club Date: 1907

Background imageSpears Collection: 1940s East Africa Kenya Msai tribe women

1940s East Africa Kenya Msai tribe women Photograph by a British army recruitment officer stationed in East Africa and the Middle East during World War II

Background imageSpears Collection: Entrance of King Cyrus of Persia into Babylon, 540BC

Entrance of King Cyrus of Persia into Babylon, 540BC
The triumphal entrance of King Cyrus of Persia into Babylon, 29 October 540BC. Solenne Pompa di Ciro in Babilonia. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Andrea Bernieri after the painting by Angelo

Background imageSpears Collection: Polygars of Tinnevelly (Tirunelveli), Southern India

Polygars of Tinnevelly (Tirunelveli), Southern India
Polygars (Palaiyakkarars, military chiefs) of Tinnevelly (Tirunelveli), Tamil Nadu (Madras State), Southern India. Date: 1842

Background imageSpears Collection: Habr Awal men, Zaila District, Somaliland, East Africa

Habr Awal men, Zaila District, Somaliland, East Africa
Habr Awal (Habr Wal) men, Zaila (Zeila) District, Somaliland (then part of the British Empire), East Africa. Date: 1922

Background imageSpears Collection: Woman with decorative scars, Belgian Congo, Central Africa

Woman with decorative scars, Belgian Congo, Central Africa
Yuli Ikelemba woman with decorative scars and spear hairpins made of beaten metal, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), Central Africa. Date: 1922

Background imageSpears Collection: The great battle of Brunanburh, 937, illustration from Hutchinson

The great battle of Brunanburh, 937, illustration from Hutchinson
STC293103 The great battle of Brunanburh, 937, illustration from Hutchinsons Story of the British Nation, c.1923 (litho) by Pearse

Background imageSpears Collection: Ancient Celtic warriors dressed for battle, with a shaman, c. 1800-18 (coloured engraving)

Ancient Celtic warriors dressed for battle, with a shaman, c. 1800-18 (coloured engraving)
468771 Ancient Celtic warriors dressed for battle, with a shaman, c.1800-18 (coloured engraving) by Italian School, (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Italian

Background imageSpears Collection: They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks, Isaiah II

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks, Isaiah II, 4 (engraving)
5218626 They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks, Isaiah II, 4 (engraving) by English School

Background imageSpears Collection: The type of warrior Burton met in Somaliland (litho)

The type of warrior Burton met in Somaliland (litho)
STC335855 The type of warrior Burton met in Somaliland (litho) by Wood, Stanley L. (1866-1928); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-90)

Background imageSpears Collection: Ancient Kazakh battle scene, Kazakhstan

Ancient Kazakh battle scene, Kazakhstan

Background imageSpears Collection: Three Shilluk Warriors of the Upper Nile, Sudan

Three Shilluk Warriors of the Upper Nile, Sudan, Africa - bearing traditional weapons and displaying feather-topped topknots (one bearing the full head of what appears to be a crane) Date: circa 1910s

Background imageSpears Collection: Chir Singh, Maharajah of the Sikhs and King of the Punjab with his retinue hunting near Lahore

Chir Singh, Maharajah of the Sikhs and King of the Punjab with his retinue hunting near Lahore, from Voyages in India, 1859 (litho). Voyages dans l Inde by Prince Alexis Soltykoff (1806-1859); A

Background imageSpears Collection: Sikh Chieftans going Hunting, 1858. Creator: A. Soltykoff (1806?1859)

Sikh Chieftans going Hunting, 1858. Creator: A. Soltykoff (1806?1859)
Sikh Chieftans going Hunting, from Voyages in India, pub. by Smith, Elder & Co. 1858 (litho). Prince Aleksei Dmitrievich Saltykov/ A

Background imageSpears Collection: Tanzania - Three Nyamwezi Men

Tanzania - Three Nyamwezi Men - a Bantu tribal group - the 2nd largest in Tanzania. Date: circa 1909

Background imageSpears Collection: Tuareg Tribesmen - Sahara - West Africa - with spears

Tuareg Tribesmen - Sahara - West Africa - with spears
Tuareg Tribesmen - Sahara - West Africa - posing for this photograph with their spears. Two other Tuareg self-designations are Kel Tamasheq meaning " speakers of Tamasheq"

Background imageSpears Collection: Elephant Hunting, Upper Nile, Sudan, Africa

Elephant Hunting, Upper Nile, Sudan, Africa
Local Tribesmen Elephant hunting, Upper Nile, Sudan, Africa Date: circa 1909




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Spears have played a significant role throughout history, serving as both weapons of war and tools for hunting. From ancient civilizations to modern tribes, the spear has been an emblem of power and skill. In the Roman mosaic depicting the Battle between Alexander and Darius, they can seen clashing in a fierce struggle for dominance. The House of the Faun in Pompeii showcases this masterpiece that immortalizes the intensity of ancient warfare. Ancient Roman costume often featured spears as essential accessories, symbolizing strength and valor. In "The Continence of Scipio, " an oil painting from 1706, we witness how these weapons were intricately woven into their culture's military attire. Even primitive men recognized the effectiveness when hunting formidable creatures like glyptodons. Depicted in cave paintings found in Lesotho, Southern Africa by San Bushmen, these early humans showcased their prowess with these versatile weapons. Moving forward through time, we encounter warriors armed with assegais from Natal Native Contingent (NCC) during battles such as The Zulu Wars. Their skilled handling demonstrated both bravery and tactical expertise on the battlefield. Speaking of The Zulu Wars, one cannot forget about their unique method of advancing to attack known as "the bull. " This strategy involved Zulu warriors brandishing their long-bladed spears while moving swiftly towards their enemies - a sight that struck fear into many hearts. Ancient Greek battles also witnessed countless soldiers wielding powerful spears called dorys. These lethal weapons became synonymous with Greek warfare tactics and helped shape history during pivotal conflicts like Thermopylae or Marathon. One iconic event etched into history is Rorke's Drift during The Zulu War where British soldiers valiantly defended against overwhelming odds using bayonets attached to rifles - essentially turning them into makeshift short-range spears. Traveling further south to Bor District in South Sudan, we encounter Dinka warriors armed with spears.