Sudanese maybe....but how much ??

[katana]

Recently finished on ePray ......quite possibly Sudanese, but to me this looks a little 'touristy' and probably fairly recent.......or am I missing something here ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320475150340&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Regards David


.

[colin henshaw]

Hi David

Its a real thing certainly, quite rare, probably from Darfur or Kordofan.

Regards
Colin

[katana]

Hi David

Its a real thing certainly, quite rare, probably from Darfur or Kordofan.

Regards
Colin

Hi Colin,
I am surprised ... the quality of the workmanship seems 'below par', the 'dot and circle' motif isn't symmetrical.

The blade looks very thin ....with the scribed lines are common to many of the larger touristy blades.

I do really like the form and shape of the hilt, it does have some age ( I must admit that I originally thought it artificially aged with heat applied to encourage cracking)...any idea as to what the hilt is made from ? I still feel that the blade is suspect ....but that is a opinion based on the pictures.

Kind Regards David

[colin henshaw]

The handle must be ivory, I have also seen them with rhino horn hilts...

Regards
Colin

[Tim Simmons]

Workmanship is okay to me, quite nice but damaged thus just a little too expensive. I wish I could get that sort of money for all the chunks of unwanted ivory I find.

[Jim McDougall]

Hi David,
An extremely nice and interesting Sudanese short sword, and without further researching seems to correspond to forms from regions in Dunqulah (Dongola) with the shape of blade and outline lines following its profile.
The interesting lunette shape on the pommel of course recalls those on the koummya and reflects the diffusion of influences from trade inroutes from probably Egypt and caravans from the north, northwest.

It does not seem 'touristy' and though inconsistantly fashioned in its motif was probably crafted by local artisans in imitation of other established decoration, and possibly for a local chieftain or tribal leader, ivory was not a rank and file commodity. I would say it is 20th century, with some age, probably 50 or more years, at a cursory estimate.

All the best,
Jim



The circle dot symbol is seen on other examples of this type sword from this region, the ones I have seen have more of a drooping 'T' type pommel. The symbol is seen on motif on other edged weapons hilts from the Saharan regions also.

[katana]

Thank you Gentlemen for all your input :) .

When I first saw the pictures of this sword, I believed the hilt to be Ivory...but with such a talismatic, expensive material, I thought more care would be taken with the decoration. Seeing that this was not the case ....and coupled to that my reservations with the blade, I began to question whether this was, indeed, Ivory or 'made' to look ivorine.

I am obviously too suspicious.......ebay can have that effect ;) :p

Please, has this sword type a name ? Are they more of a ceremonial / status piece ? If so, were they decended from perhaps, a functional version ?

Best Regards
David

[colin henshaw]

Hi David

I'm sure these were made to be used, but don't know what the native name would be. They are uncommon relative to other Sudanese edged weapon types.

I've also seen much larger, related specimens with a similar shaped handle, but made of bone and (probably) African blackwood, instead of ivory or rhino horn.

Regards
Colin

[katana]

Thanks Colin,
another edged weapon with an unknown name (well at least to collectors). I am hoping that if a member bought the sword...they will start a thread on it.

Regards David

[katana]

A similar form on an Anthropology collection site...

http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/databases/common/image_dup.cfm?catno=90%2E2%2F%204601%20AB&show_portfolio=yes