African curved sword for discussion/comment ?

Iain · 8th January 2013, 05:55 PM

Just to add a bit of interesting historical detail, the British had actually fought the Ethiopians not that long before the Madhist period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British...n_to_Abyssinia

There was also large battle between the Madhists and the Ethiopians
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gallabat

Not as well known as the actions involving the British but extremely important none the less.

Martin Lubojacky · 8th January 2013, 10:31 PM

Hi Iain,
I am afraid - aren´t you developing a taste for Ethiopia ? (BTW - If you are in Prague this Saturday, Ethiopians celebrate theit Christmas in Technical Library)
The history of the country is very rich and interesting, including the history of military affairs. As far as the interaction with the Arab Peninsula is concerned, maybe it is irrelevant in connection with filigree - but this history of close interaction began thousands years ago - during the ancient times of the Land of Sheba, when, allegedly (I should study a liitle bit more), Yemen and Abyssinian territories were culturally homogenous (maybe also during Aksum Kingdom). And at that old times, the Horn of Africa was settled in two big waves from Arab peninsula, and the "newcomers" mixed with old residents.
Ethiopians are very skilled gold and silversmiths, which could by confirmed by everybody who visited "Piazza" in Addis. They have still been producing their own various styles (also filigree) of gold and silver jewelery.
(encl. "Ethiopian still life")
Regards,
Martin

derek · 8th March 2013, 12:13 AM

Hi Taff,

I've been away for ages (seriously, years now) but Ethiopia was one of my collecting passions. That's a very good shotel with a locally made blade. Many, as someone else has noted, were ordered by Menelik II from various European sources and then hilted locally.

I still have several, and my son now has the collecting bug....its genetic.

-d

8th January 2013, 10:31 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi Iain, I am afraid - aren´t you developing a taste for Ethiopia ? (BTW - If you are in Prague this Saturday, Ethiopians celebrate theit Christmas in Technical Library) The history of the country is very rich and interesting, including the history of military affairs. As far as the interaction with the Arab Peninsula is concerned, maybe it is irrelevant in connection with filigree - but this history of close interaction began thousands years ago - during the ancient times of the Land of Sheba, when, allegedly (I should study a liitle bit more), Yemen and Abyssinian territories were culturally homogenous (maybe also during Aksum Kingdom). And at that old times, the Horn of Africa was settled in two big waves from Arab peninsula, and the "newcomers" mixed with old residents. Ethiopians are very skilled gold and silversmiths, which could by confirmed by everybody who visited "Piazza" in Addis. They have still been producing their own various styles (also filigree) of gold and silver jewelery. (encl. "Ethiopian still life") Regards, Martin Attached Images

8th March 2013, 12:13 AM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Nice Shotel Hi Taff, I've been away for ages (seriously, years now) but Ethiopia was one of my collecting passions. That's a very good shotel with a locally made blade. Many, as someone else has noted, were ordered by Menelik II from various European sources and then hilted locally. I still have several, and my son now has the collecting bug....its genetic. -d

8th January 2013, 05:55 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Just to add a bit of interesting historical detail, the British had actually fought the Ethiopians not that long before the Madhist period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British...n_to_Abyssinia There was also large battle between the Madhists and the Ethiopians http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gallabat Not as well known as the actions involving the British but extremely important none the less.