Mystery (Ceremonial?) Knife...

laEspadaAncha · 30th June 2010, 08:22 PM

So were these intended to be used for ceremonial purposes, as status symbols, or were any of them intended for utilitarian use? The example my friend has is heavy - on the back side of 1kg - and as mentioned, the blade is a simple piece of flattened iron with no sharp edges.

Are you still under the impression my friend's example was made for the tourist trade?

Martin Lubojacky · 2nd July 2010, 08:51 PM

I think Luc would know better. My personal opinion is status symbol.
Re tourist o real one: This is my personal opinion again, as I have send such "black patina" from my two pieces (one sword, one bracelet) to the laboratory and the resalt was "fake", false patina. On the opposite, when I bought such more or less current item directly in Mandara mountains, the brass was never so dark.

Martin Lubojacky · 2nd July 2010, 08:58 PM

There is also one possibility: In Rhumsiki I saw they stored old shields, bows and spears below the roof, just above the fireplace, and the items were black because of ash. The best would be to analyse patina.
Regards,
Martin

katana · 2nd July 2010, 10:12 PM

Looking at the patina.....to me, is too uniform (suggesting it is not 'natural'). The hollow in the handle is, too me, a little suspicious, as if it should be hung on the wall as decoration (hollow side to the wall) ....this saves using brass/bronze which wouldn't be seen.
You also have to ask yourself, why a 'status' symbol would left 'uncleaned' for so long (long enough for such a dark patina to develop)

Regards David

Luc LEFEBVRE · 2nd July 2010, 10:24 PM

Fake

laEspadaAncha · 3rd July 2010, 02:24 AM

Thank you David, Luc, & Martin for your input and feedback... I'm glad I didn't "jump the gun," so to speak, and pick this up only to later regret it (been there, done that

).

Rgds,

Chris

30th June 2010, 08:22 PM	#1
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	So were these intended to be used for ceremonial purposes, as status symbols, or were any of them intended for utilitarian use? The example my friend has is heavy - on the back side of 1kg - and as mentioned, the blade is a simple piece of flattened iron with no sharp edges. Are you still under the impression my friend's example was made for the tourist trade?

2nd July 2010, 08:51 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	I think Luc would know better. My personal opinion is status symbol. Re tourist o real one: This is my personal opinion again, as I have send such "black patina" from my two pieces (one sword, one bracelet) to the laboratory and the resalt was "fake", false patina. On the opposite, when I bought such more or less current item directly in Mandara mountains, the brass was never so dark.

2nd July 2010, 08:58 PM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	There is also one possibility: In Rhumsiki I saw they stored old shields, bows and spears below the roof, just above the fireplace, and the items were black because of ash. The best would be to analyse patina. Regards, Martin

2nd July 2010, 10:12 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Looking at the patina.....to me, is too uniform (suggesting it is not 'natural'). The hollow in the handle is, too me, a little suspicious, as if it should be hung on the wall as decoration (hollow side to the wall) ....this saves using brass/bronze which wouldn't be seen. You also have to ask yourself, why a 'status' symbol would left 'uncleaned' for so long (long enough for such a dark patina to develop) Regards David

2nd July 2010, 10:24 PM	#5
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Fake

3rd July 2010, 02:24 AM	#6
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Thank you David, Luc, & Martin for your input and feedback... I'm glad I didn't "jump the gun," so to speak, and pick this up only to later regret it (been there, done that ). Rgds, Chris