West African ? dagger for I.D.

colin henshaw · 23rd January 2012, 11:06 AM

Hi

This is a new acquisition that perhaps someone could help out with regarding identification. Havn't seen that type of cast brass handle before.

As usual, comments are welcome.

Regards.

Gavin Nugent · 23rd January 2012, 11:09 AM

Colin, no help here but the bronze work is beautiful and the blade looks very strong and not of the quality typically found in African knives. Congrats.

Gav

Andy Stevens · 23rd January 2012, 01:15 PM

Hi Colin, nice dagger, looks North African, Hausa? Manding? We like!!

Iain · 23rd January 2012, 01:35 PM

Scabbard has elements of Manding work in it (the thick raised bands), cast bronze reminds me of Kirdi ceremonial daggers, in terms of the quality of the casting.

A really fantastic piece Colin!

thinreadline · 24th January 2012, 01:14 AM

Yes I would second Colin there, very nice indeed.

colin henshaw · 24th January 2012, 08:47 AM

Many thanks for the input on this dagger.

The shallow diamond cross-section of the blade seems a bit unusual for African weapons...but I notice one of the Mandara short swords posted by Iain (separate thread) has a similar cross-section, also the curved profile of the blade. Do you think this is an indigenous development or the result of external influences ?

Regards.

Iain · 24th January 2012, 10:13 AM

Hi Colin,

My little Chamba piece has a similar blade style you are right. I'd say native, if only for the fact that the region is fairly isolated and I haven't seen that blade profile as common in the surrounding Islamic emirates. If it came via Muslim traders I would expect it to have been found on Hausa and other arm daggers.

Cheers,

Iain

Gavin Nugent · 24th January 2012, 11:39 AM

Colin,

It looks to be of very strong and bright steel unlike, if I can use the term, "Typical" African sword. How thick is it between the medial ridges?

Gav

colin henshaw · 25th January 2012, 09:36 AM

Gav,

Yes, you are quite right about the blade. Max. thickness at the spine must be 3-3.5mm. In fact the blade is very similar to that on an Ottoman dagger I had some time ago (see attached image). I wonder could it be a re-used Ottoman blade, perhaps broken at the tang area ? which would explain the applied brass/bronze handle...

The handle is interesting - using the "lost wax" technique - strings of wax applied, covered with clay, melted out, then the space filled in with liquid brass. I've seen that work plus similar half-moon motifs, on Ashanti gold-weights etc. But they are located near the coast, a long way from Northern Cameroon. H'mm...

Regards
Colin

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

Colin,

It looks to be of very strong and bright steel unlike, if I can use the term, "Typical" African sword. How thick is it between the medial ridges?

Gav

Iain · 25th January 2012, 10:43 AM

There is a lot of lost wax casting done in the Mandara area. Here's one:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=32962&stc=1 (just linking the image since it was an old sale in the swap forum that was never marked as sold).

Also not the circular motifs on that piece.

I know of a few others in the collection of friends, but I'd have to ask before posting their images.

My Chamba blade is about the same thickness at the base of the spine.

23rd January 2012, 11:06 AM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	West African ? dagger for I.D. Hi This is a new acquisition that perhaps someone could help out with regarding identification. Havn't seen that type of cast brass handle before. As usual, comments are welcome. Regards. Attached Images

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23rd January 2012, 11:09 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Colin, no help here but the bronze work is beautiful and the blade looks very strong and not of the quality typically found in African knives. Congrats. Gav

23rd January 2012, 01:15 PM	#3
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Hi Colin, nice dagger, looks North African, Hausa? Manding? We like!!

23rd January 2012, 01:35 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Scabbard has elements of Manding work in it (the thick raised bands), cast bronze reminds me of Kirdi ceremonial daggers, in terms of the quality of the casting. A really fantastic piece Colin!

24th January 2012, 01:14 AM	#5
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Yes I would second Colin there, very nice indeed.

24th January 2012, 08:47 AM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Many thanks for the input on this dagger. The shallow diamond cross-section of the blade seems a bit unusual for African weapons...but I notice one of the Mandara short swords posted by Iain (separate thread) has a similar cross-section, also the curved profile of the blade. Do you think this is an indigenous development or the result of external influences ? Regards.

24th January 2012, 10:13 AM	#7
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Hi Colin, My little Chamba piece has a similar blade style you are right. I'd say native, if only for the fact that the region is fairly isolated and I haven't seen that blade profile as common in the surrounding Islamic emirates. If it came via Muslim traders I would expect it to have been found on Hausa and other arm daggers. Cheers, Iain

24th January 2012, 11:39 AM	#8
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Colin, It looks to be of very strong and bright steel unlike, if I can use the term, "Typical" African sword. How thick is it between the medial ridges? Gav

25th January 2012, 10:43 AM	#10
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	There is a lot of lost wax casting done in the Mandara area. Here's one: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=32962&stc=1 (just linking the image since it was an old sale in the swap forum that was never marked as sold). Also not the circular motifs on that piece. I know of a few others in the collection of friends, but I'd have to ask before posting their images. My Chamba blade is about the same thickness at the base of the spine.