AFRICAN LOOP DAGGER , Tiv, for comment
 

At last ....I have 'secured' a loop dagger. The seller informs me it is 80-90 years old. Blade is 'shallow' diamond (in cross section) and is 7.5 " long,

Looks authentic, has anyone got any information about this type of dagger....or comments on this particular one ?

Thank you
David

Katana

That is a nice Tiv dagger you picked up. I like this type of blade shape it is more of a real get down to business style than the more wasp shape ones we often see with the thin needle like tips both are nice but I just like the broader tip ones better for over all stength. As for age it's hard to tell on these but I would think it would date from any where between 1900-1950. here is one from my collection which much like yours. I have added one with the needle like tip from Artzi's site as a comparison.

Lew

Hi Lew,
thank you. Seems that the dagger's age is fairly consistant with the sellers claims :) I also noticed the decoration around the loop is very similar on all the examples posted. ( your nice example, which I believe you posted before, is the reason why 'I wanted one', in the first place)
I've only got the sellers pics at present, will post better ones when it arrives.

How are these daggers held? I assume that these were stabbing weapons, rather than 'slashing'. I cannot find much info on the 'Tiv', all I know is they are from the Nigerian area.

I have big hands so only three fingers fit in the loop. I guess it is held in either the ice pick position for a downward stab or in the hammer position for a straight or upward stab.

Lew

Hi all,
I send some pics of my one bought by Artzi. The blade, of different kind, is forged in one piece with the loop, that has similar decoration. I don't know its age.
Regards
Paolo

The Tiv are an interesting culture not a lot of people collect there. I thought that the members might like to see something else from the TiV -- Provenace Charles Jones and Lew Deadmore.

about 20" tall. A powerful woman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiv

I find West and Central Afirca the most interesting of the African peoples.

Now it has arrived, I can see that this is forged in 'one piece' and has been skillfully done. Very pleased with this piece :D