This spearhead was found underground in Thanh Phu in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. As is often the case it was discovered by a farmer while plowing a field. This often harms the piece. When it does, the newly cut areas are “yellow” the original color of the bronze when it was cast 2000 years ago. Those newly exposed areas, by virtue of having (until just now) been in the interior of the piece, have not been in contact with anything except bronze. Therefore, they have not acquired the patina of copper salts caused by exposure to wet soil and the various salts in it. That is NOT the case here. The surfaces at the areas of damage have exactly the same patina as the undamaged areas, indicating similar (and probably identical) exposure to the environment since burial 2000 years ago. Ergo, the damage was sustained prior to the blade being buried in soil. Too small to be a tool of war, it was most likely used for hunting.
A certificate of authenticity along with further details on bronze artifacts from the Dong Son Period will be provided with this item. The artifact could be framed behind glass for display as demonstrated in the last photo in the series. Please note, this particular ancient object does not come with the frame.
Characteristics
Length: 12.5cm, 4.9 inches
Width: 3cm, 1.2 inches
Weight: 70g /2.5 oz
Period: Dong Son Period 400 B.C-100 A.D
Provenance: Mekong Delta, Vietnam
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