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29th July 2012, 02:42 PM
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#1 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,429
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Thanks to those who commented on this item. The handle is beautifully constructed, and here is a close-up. Thin layers of horn and zinc/zinc alloy ? Must have been difficult to do.
Also posting a couple of old images of posed photos of Somali warriors from the late 19th century, for interest. The explorer Richard Burton describes Somaliland tribal weapons in his book from the 1850s "First Footsteps in East Africa", for anyone who likes Somali material. Some peculiarities I have often noticed with Somali iron blades - they can develop distinctive patchy rust pitting and light remains of file marks are commonly left on the metal. Anyone have observations on these points ? Regards. |
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29th July 2012, 07:10 PM
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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Salaams Colin Henshaw~ Monumental hilts like these are indeed interesting and I wonder if they mirror some architectural theme? Great photos which help to bring these weapons back to life....
Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. |
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15th August 2012, 10:05 PM
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#3 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,429
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Quote:
Apologies for the late response. Good point about the architectural theme, perhaps this is the design inspiration. Searching on the internet - it seems that Somalia and Somaliland in historic times were renowned for their distinctive architecture. |
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16th August 2012, 04:35 PM
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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Salaams Colin Henshaw ~There are many examples on the web such as at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:So...ndow-frame.jpg showing a monumentally carved window and I'm sure there are more ... Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. |
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16th August 2012, 04:50 PM
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#5 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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Quote:
Salaams Colin Henshaw ~There are many examples on the web such as at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:So...ndow-frame.jpg showing a monumentally carved window and I'm sure there are more ... I also noted a particularly interesting web letter on the subject of Somalia etymology http://www.mbali.info/doc450.htm which is worth a read. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. |
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19th August 2012, 05:23 AM
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#6 |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Posts: 11
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A truly beautiful piece. What are its dimensions?
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20th August 2012, 02:26 PM
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#7 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,429
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Glad you like the piece. Length of the sword without the sheath is 60cm.
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20th August 2012, 03:20 PM
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#8 |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Mother North
Posts: 189
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Hi Colin and congratulations on your beautiful score! It's a really nice piece I think and I like bilaos in general. The symmetry in combination with the design of the massive pommels really speak to me. I've seen some particularly delicious ones too, where the pommels were carved from huge chunks of elephant ivory!
Thanks so much for sharing your joy!  All the best, - Thor |
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20th August 2012, 07:34 PM
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,429
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Quote:
Hi Ibrahiim Many thanks for the interesting links. Do you have any thoughts on the distinctive patchy rusting to be found on Somali/Somaliland iron weapons ? Regards. |
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21st August 2012, 06:10 PM
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#10 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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Salaams Colin ~ I cant help thinking that it is because of the relatively rudimentary forging process .. perhaps combined with the wet and humid conditions.. These rust spots do seem to be uniform and common in their armouries. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. |
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