What kind of African blade is this?

[apolaki]

I believe it is Aftican, does anyone know specifics and cultural meaning of the symbols? Thanks

[Ian]

The mounted figure reminds me of Benin sculpture. Cannot help with the blade decoration.

Ian.

[apolaki]

Thanks for the lead Ian. I can't seem to find another Benin example exactly like it. I seen some with similar blade form or having the cross symbol, but none with the man riding a horse as a pommel.. None with all three components.

[VANDOO]

IT MAY BE FROM THE DAHOMEY CULTURE ALSO LOOK UNDER BENIN AND ASHANTI GROUPS. A NICE ITEM. THE YORUBA ALSO DO GOOD METAL WORK, IRON, BRONZE AND BRASS.

[Ian]

Apolaki:

The close up picture of the mounted figure really looks like Benin work to me. The Kingdom of Dahomey was, of course, located in what is now Benin, and this piece might date from that period although I think it is later. There are some nice examples of Dahomey/Benin art in the Pitt-Rivers Museum in Oxford, and you can see some of it here http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44014/44014-h/44014-h.htm

There are a number of swords/knives shown on that site, some of which resemble the shape of your blade, some have piercings to the blade with incised marks, and a couple have figural hilts, but none show all of the features on your example.

Nice sword and I hope you can find the answers to your questions.

Regards,

Ian.

[Tim Simmons]

It is a representation of Ogun on horse back as a warrior. Main aspects, God of hunting, iron and warfare. There are more aspects to Ogun than just the three things mentioned.

[Jim McDougall]

Well noted, this appears to be a Dahomean 'hwi' from that kingdom (now Benin) used in ceremonial events and as a kind of bearing sword or regalia. Ian has detailed most of this spot on, and there are great references in Christopher Spring "African Arms and Armour". In this material the Palau-Marti article on Dahomean arms is cited.

I have always thought the cross in many of these seemed reminiscent of the type cross said to be of Portuguese influence on some African swords (I believe from Congo) from that influence on this part of African coast.

[Ian]

Another particularly fine 17th C Benin City bronze casting of a warrior king.

Ian.

[apolaki]

Can anyone tell me if my sword looks like brass or bronze, or maybe iron? I read that brass was a rare metal and i read it was used in the context of royal ada. is this true in general for ada, this example looks crudely cast compared to ones i've seen in museums.

Thanks for your help!

[Tim Simmons]

Looks like a form of brass or bronze. Brass being copper and tin and bronze copper and zinc. These alloys can become similar when alloyed with other metal. Either brass with zinc of even lead and bronze with tin and or lead. In industry this depends on what the alloy has to do. In a piece like the example you show the alloy might be what is commonly at hand.

[kronckew]

... Brass being copper and tin and bronze copper and zinc. ... oops.

brass=copper + zinc
bronze=copper+tin

both can have other metals in small proportions as alloying components or contaminants.