African Throwing Knife for ID and comment

Sajen · 23rd March 2014, 12:28 PM

Hi Russel,

here the picture from Panga Na Visu, very similar knife.
Again, beautiful knife with good age IMHO.

Regards,
Detlef

russel · 24th March 2014, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the comments guys.

Detlef, thank you for the scan. Seems almost identical to mine.

Luc, yes I thought it may have been varnished. I don't have it in my hands yet but as soon as it arrives I will remove the varnish and post clearer pictures. Could you point me in the direction of some of the research done on these copper-insert types?

Could this date to the late 19th Century, or is it a later example?

Thanks again,
Russel

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th March 2014, 09:53 PM

Jan Elsen in the book "De Fer et de Fierté" says that the copper dot seems to be a production of the north of the territory of the Ngbaka Mabo, maybe the southern Gbaya.
The production of this type of knife began around 1900 to 1960, after the 2WW the quality is lower.
The X on the blade is the symbol of the spider a totemic animal for the Ngbaka Mabo.
Some other exemples...

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th March 2014, 09:59 PM

The types of my collection

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th March 2014, 10:02 PM

This last one, and old type, before 1900, a great work of forging.

russel · 27th March 2014, 05:58 AM

Thanks Luc,

That is great information, and beautiful examples. I am especially intrigued by the totemic spider symbolism.

Thanks again, Russel

manteris1 · 27th March 2014, 06:32 PM

Very nice................................jimmy

23rd March 2014, 12:28 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,609	Hi Russel, here the picture from Panga Na Visu, very similar knife. Again, beautiful knife with good age IMHO. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

24th March 2014, 09:53 PM	#3
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	Jan Elsen in the book "De Fer et de Fierté" says that the copper dot seems to be a production of the north of the territory of the Ngbaka Mabo, maybe the southern Gbaya. The production of this type of knife began around 1900 to 1960, after the 2WW the quality is lower. The X on the blade is the symbol of the spider a totemic animal for the Ngbaka Mabo. Some other exemples... Attached Images

24th March 2014, 09:59 PM	#4
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	The types of my collection Attached Images

24th March 2014, 10:02 PM	#5
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	This last one, and old type, before 1900, a great work of forging. Attached Images

24th March 2014, 07:22 PM	#2
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Thanks for the comments guys. Detlef, thank you for the scan. Seems almost identical to mine. Luc, yes I thought it may have been varnished. I don't have it in my hands yet but as soon as it arrives I will remove the varnish and post clearer pictures. Could you point me in the direction of some of the research done on these copper-insert types? Could this date to the late 19th Century, or is it a later example? Thanks again, Russel

27th March 2014, 05:58 AM	#6
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Thanks Luc, That is great information, and beautiful examples. I am especially intrigued by the totemic spider symbolism. Thanks again, Russel

27th March 2014, 06:32 PM	#7
manteris1 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 114	Very nice................................jimmy