African Or Tlingit Copper Dagger

Jeff D · 5th September 2005, 10:39 PM

Hi Tomahawk,

I have been lurking on this thread, as I am very interested in these Tlinget daggers. I have been able to examine these two in person ( http://www.cullodenantiques.com/atha...it_knifes.html ), and have found photos of many more.
These daggers are highly regarded by the Natives of the Pacific Northwest. I have had the oportunity to discuss these with a couple of elders from the Bella Coola and Interior plateau regions. Most immediately recognized them but only knew that they were associated with the "Northern tribes".
As has been discussed the blades were of copper even prior to contact with the Europeans. Eventually iron was used. The metals were obtained from beachcombing (wrecks, barrels etc), as well as trade. I have seen a couple from Sheffield trade blades as well as a converted russian bayonet. The workmanship is always spectacular. The form often has a central ridge, the cross section often is crecent shaped. I have not seen any with grooves as seen on yours.
The hilts are usually intricately carved mythological creatures usually of whale bone and occasionally of wood. The grip is usually wrapped sinew. I have never seen one attached in the manner that yours is.
These weapons are revered, and are handed down through the klan leaders. that is why the workmanship is always spectacular as you can see from the examples shown.
I think your dagger may represent an attempt to revive an old art form, but I would have serious reservations about the provenance that you were given.
All in all I think you have a neat object and if the price was acceptable it certainly deserves to be in a collection.

All the Best
Jeff

5th September 2005, 10:39 PM	#24
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Tomahawk, I have been lurking on this thread, as I am very interested in these Tlinget daggers. I have been able to examine these two in person ( http://www.cullodenantiques.com/atha...it_knifes.html ), and have found photos of many more. These daggers are highly regarded by the Natives of the Pacific Northwest. I have had the oportunity to discuss these with a couple of elders from the Bella Coola and Interior plateau regions. Most immediately recognized them but only knew that they were associated with the "Northern tribes". As has been discussed the blades were of copper even prior to contact with the Europeans. Eventually iron was used. The metals were obtained from beachcombing (wrecks, barrels etc), as well as trade. I have seen a couple from Sheffield trade blades as well as a converted russian bayonet. The workmanship is always spectacular. The form often has a central ridge, the cross section often is crecent shaped. I have not seen any with grooves as seen on yours. The hilts are usually intricately carved mythological creatures usually of whale bone and occasionally of wood. The grip is usually wrapped sinew. I have never seen one attached in the manner that yours is. These weapons are revered, and are handed down through the klan leaders. that is why the workmanship is always spectacular as you can see from the examples shown. I think your dagger may represent an attempt to revive an old art form, but I would have serious reservations about the provenance that you were given. All in all I think you have a neat object and if the price was acceptable it certainly deserves to be in a collection. All the Best Jeff