Restoration or corruption, help

[Tim Simmons]

This is from my latest blast at ebay, still two pieces to arrive and all funds depleted for some time now. I had only intended to leave a very small bid but forgot the decimal point :o could has been a little alarming. Saying that I am very glad I got this wonderful unique Central African piece "Freddy, Luc what say you?".

The fact that it is so unique has put me in a dilemma. Does such uniqueness demand restoration or is that a corruption of the main appeal as the blade is not in any way important. I am confident I could make sympathetic restoration, not invisible perhaps hidden at first glance, not an eyesore. Opinions please?

Blade 26cm total tip to tip 58cm. I think this is a fascinating object.

[fernando]

Fascinating indeed :)
Old ? 19th century ?
Fernando

[Lew]

Tim

It looks fine to me leave the blade alone if you want a touch of brown paste shoe polish where the leather is scuffed but thats all ;)



Lew

[VANDOO]

CONSIDERING ITS AGE AND WHERE ITS FROM IT IS IN GREAT SHAPE. THE ONLY THING I SEE DAMMAGED IS ONE SHOULDER ON THE WOOD HANDLE BUT I WOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THAT IF IT WERE MINE. IT LOOKS GOOD TO GO TO ME , ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ENJOY IT AND TRY TO FIND OUT ABOUT IT. CONGRADULATIONS :cool:

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

The mysterious knife...
Luc

[Tim Simmons]

Thank you, at first all I could see was the broken shoulder on the handle. I think to fiddle with it is to damage it even further. Thanks.

[colin henshaw]

I think this is from the Lur tribe, Western Uganda. A rare knife.

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

Described as MABENDI from Congo in "Beauté Fatale" page 199.
Luc

[Tim Simmons]

Thanks chaps so very helpful such a pleasure to show this item. The border between the Congo and Uganda is rather a modern concept. What super responses :cool: .

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

here it is, not far from Uganda.
Luc

[Tim Simmons]

Could the "Lur" suggested by Colin be the "Alur" in the map. Anyway 10 out of 10 to the both of you and a big thank you. Didn't I do well, :cool: okay that's a bit cheesy :cool:

[colin henshaw]

As far as I know "Alur" and "Lur" are one and the same, I have seen it spelt both ways. From memory, I believe there is an example of this type of knife in the Powell-Cotton Museum, Birchington, Kent. Regards.

[Tim Simmons]

Marvelous, that place sounds just my sort of thing. Colin do you work there? I will be visiting soon. Could see you there? :eek:

[colin henshaw]

Tim, I don't work there, but have visited the Powell-Cotton Museum quite a few times over the years. Its a super place for anyone interested in African weapons and artefacts, particularly Eastern Africa and the Sudan. All good early material.

Have fun !

[katana]

Hi Tim,
What an interesting knife :cool: I agree with the majority ...I'd leave it alone.

Hi Colin,
thanks for the info on the museum.....I never knew about it until now... and I'm only a hours drive away :o

Link to the museum, (that I'll be visiting soon ;) )

http://www.ukattraction.com/a_print/print_entries_frames.php?&e=2325ISY&a=0


Regards David