Ilwoon scabbard

Jim McDougall · 30th September 2007, 07:22 AM

I am wondering about the hilt form on these 'ilwoon', if anything is known on the significance of the markings typically carved into them and earliest examples of the form.
While free association at its best, I cannot resist noting the similarity of the pommel and cap or stem on the examples I have seen of 'ilwoon' resembling those of talwars and paluours. It has been suggested that edged weapons from Portuguese and Dutch traders in 16th c. influenced the work of Congolese smiths, who emulated the foreign forms. Is it possible that weapons such as talwars may have entered trade routes via East African centers such as Zanzibar and contributed their influence in the same manner?

I would appreciate hearing the thoughts of the African collecting guys out there!

Luc LEFEBVRE · 30th September 2007, 10:23 PM

Pics from The Tervren Museum, where you can see some Ilwoon

From a friend Rand:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/randafr...7600841348496/

Jim McDougall · 30th September 2007, 11:42 PM

Yup! Those are ilwoons OK!!! Nice grouping of them. Makes me all the more curious if there is any information on them out there

30th September 2007, 10:23 PM	#2
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Pics from The Tervren Museum, where you can see some Ilwoon From a friend Rand: http://www.flickr.com/photos/randafr...7600841348496/ Attached Images

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30th September 2007, 07:22 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,196	I am wondering about the hilt form on these 'ilwoon', if anything is known on the significance of the markings typically carved into them and earliest examples of the form. While free association at its best, I cannot resist noting the similarity of the pommel and cap or stem on the examples I have seen of 'ilwoon' resembling those of talwars and paluours. It has been suggested that edged weapons from Portuguese and Dutch traders in 16th c. influenced the work of Congolese smiths, who emulated the foreign forms. Is it possible that weapons such as talwars may have entered trade routes via East African centers such as Zanzibar and contributed their influence in the same manner? I would appreciate hearing the thoughts of the African collecting guys out there!

30th September 2007, 11:42 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,196	Yup! Those are ilwoons OK!!! Nice grouping of them. Makes me all the more curious if there is any information on them out there