Interesting kaskara with brass hilt and rounded tip

Iain · 14th December 2011, 03:42 PM

Thanks Lew, would be very interested to see that! A small flicker of hope remains then there is something more to this style.

Atlantia · 14th December 2011, 04:00 PM

Well done Gav.

This is interesting. I don't immediately recognise the decoration as Egyptian work now that I can see it more clearly.
In fact it reminds me more of the style of decoration sometimes seen on the brasswork of Telek daggers.

The close-up also seems to show an abnormally long tang with two or is it three? pegs running almost to the top of the hilt.

Jim McDougall · 16th December 2011, 06:57 AM

This sword seems to be a ceremonial or diplomatic item which reflects influences of domed type pommels on some swords hilted in San'a or perhaps Hadhramaut in Yemen. In the time of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium the British Protectorate of Aden in Arabia included these regions, which were in turn of course connected to Khedival Egypt and the Sudan.

Iain, the example you show in post #10 has scabbard mounts very similar to sa'ifs mounted in Hadhramaut.

The kaskara style in the remainder of the hilt is evident.

The two knives are Kpinga from the Azande of S.Sudan in form and again evidently produced in embellished form for probably diplomatic purposes as gifts and representative in grouping of traditional weapons.

Gav, thanks for the extra images!!!

Heres on from Michael Blalock (2009) from a shop in San'a

Iain · 16th December 2011, 12:03 PM

Hi Jim,

Many thanks for this, that certainly seems to explain this particular item. From the photo of Michael's it looks like similar styles extended around the Gulf.

Again, many thanks for the notes on this. :-)

Iain

Wodimi · 18th December 2011, 10:16 PM

Regarding the two throwing knifes, which belong to this sword lot. They are also a bit strange and not decorated in the traditional style. The shape is the shape from the two main typs of the Ingessana throwing knifes, one the so called sai ("serpent") and the other typ called ("muder"), the scorpion. But incised patterns on the blade's surface represent normal a snake, lizard, and spider and a scorpion in the second case and not this animal (maybe lion) we can see on the blades. So they are for sure not produced for the Ingessana.

Iain · 20th December 2011, 10:38 AM

Thanks for the additional closeup photos of the knives. I think it is pretty easy to see the quality of the work and if I am not mistaken the execution of the shape and form of the knives (not just the engraving) looks a little "off" as well.

Personally I find it fascinating that a "weapons for tourists" industry sprang up so quickly and from outside the ethnic origins of the weapons themselves.

16th December 2011, 06:57 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	This sword seems to be a ceremonial or diplomatic item which reflects influences of domed type pommels on some swords hilted in San'a or perhaps Hadhramaut in Yemen. In the time of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium the British Protectorate of Aden in Arabia included these regions, which were in turn of course connected to Khedival Egypt and the Sudan. Iain, the example you show in post #10 has scabbard mounts very similar to sa'ifs mounted in Hadhramaut. The kaskara style in the remainder of the hilt is evident. The two knives are Kpinga from the Azande of S.Sudan in form and again evidently produced in embellished form for probably diplomatic purposes as gifts and representative in grouping of traditional weapons. Gav, thanks for the extra images!!! Heres on from Michael Blalock (2009) from a shop in San'a Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 16th December 2011 at 07:12 AM.

18th December 2011, 10:16 PM	#5
Wodimi Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 75	Regarding the two throwing knifes, which belong to this sword lot. They are also a bit strange and not decorated in the traditional style. The shape is the shape from the two main typs of the Ingessana throwing knifes, one the so called sai ("serpent") and the other typ called ("muder"), the scorpion. But incised patterns on the blade's surface represent normal a snake, lizard, and spider and a scorpion in the second case and not this animal (maybe lion) we can see on the blades. So they are for sure not produced for the Ingessana. Attached Images

14th December 2011, 03:42 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Thanks Lew, would be very interested to see that! A small flicker of hope remains then there is something more to this style.

14th December 2011, 04:00 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Well done Gav. This is interesting. I don't immediately recognise the decoration as Egyptian work now that I can see it more clearly. In fact it reminds me more of the style of decoration sometimes seen on the brasswork of Telek daggers. The close-up also seems to show an abnormally long tang with two or is it three? pegs running almost to the top of the hilt.

16th December 2011, 12:03 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Hi Jim, Many thanks for this, that certainly seems to explain this particular item. From the photo of Michael's it looks like similar styles extended around the Gulf. Again, many thanks for the notes on this. :-) Iain

20th December 2011, 10:38 AM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Thanks for the additional closeup photos of the knives. I think it is pretty easy to see the quality of the work and if I am not mistaken the execution of the shape and form of the knives (not just the engraving) looks a little "off" as well. Personally I find it fascinating that a "weapons for tourists" industry sprang up so quickly and from outside the ethnic origins of the weapons themselves.