African powder horn with Arab influence ?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Thanks to Stu and Ibrahiim for their posts. Omani influence (or even manufacture ?) seem quite likely, given the Omani presence in Zanzibar and the East African coast, at the time.

There are a few comparable examples on the National Museums Scotland website, one with a similar leather belt assemblage. Perhaps they were made in Zanzibar by Arab craftsmen ??

I am slightly puzzled by the large wooden stopper - it seems cumbersome; any ideas for this ? The faceted profile to the horn is similar to that found on iron spearheads from Somaliland/Somalia.

Regards.

Salaams Colin, I go more with the idea of African craftsmanship in Zanzibar..although many people ended up working there including from Malibar and Persia.. The item looks more African to me. The wooden bung looks African . As you point out ...influence from Arabian style is bound to be apparent because of earlier Omani involvement.

It also depends on what is meant by Zanzibar...see # 80 at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...nzibari+swords

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.