High status beja Kaskara

[Jack Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Edster

Hello Jack,

Nice addition to your kaskara collection. The blade & crossguard are nicely mated and likely late 19th C. Have you looked under the langets for a European maker's mark?

The silver on the grip looks over cleaned and is likely a much later addition. Usually a silvered grip has silver on the pommel as well with yours lacks. I've never seen a stone as a finial. Also, the tassel looks tatty, just wrapped cord and not braided as a traditional Beja one.

The gold on the sheath's chap are new to me, seem to be a later addition and not in the design of the chap. Also, there is a small strip on the sheath below the silver top piece that looks like the original piece was replaced.

The symbol on the chap looks like a stylized Arabic number 6. No doubt had an earlier meaning.

The sheath's suspension rings are a high class detail and not usually encountered.

Best,
Ed

Sorry for the delay but here's a better look at the tassel and the colour it must have been before it faded thats a lovely purple colour

[Edster]

Jack,

The tassel still looks off-spec to me. Also, purple doesn't seem to be in the Beja's palette.

Attached are a couple of pics that show tassels of different ages and the details of the wrap and braid.

Regards,
Ed

[drdavid]

I suspect chrysoprase (found in Tanzania) rather than jade which is more typically east asia or mezoamerica
DrD

[Jack Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Edster

Jack,

The tassel still looks off-spec to me. Also, purple doesn't seem to be in the Beja's palette.

Attached are a couple of pics that show tassels of different ages and the details of the wrap and braid.

Regards,
Ed

Yes can see what you mean with the difference but the tassle on this clearly has been on it for some time to completely fade the colour like it has. Any idea why its on there or tribe if not beja?

[Edster]

Sorry, Jack, I can't help you there.
Ed

[Tim Simmons]

The stone? / glass has bubbles in it?