Authentic? Cameroon Blade

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

The condition of the hilt does not match the blade and is either a more recent production, or the original that has been substantially re-finished. Likely a more recent replacement.

The hilt shows no signs of carving.

According to an old and very experienced Africa-collector from Germany with his own small museum this is a clear indication of artifical aging.

His clear statement was: No signs of carving = modern work + artificial aging.

Africans are great experts therein creating a nice old looking patina on wood.


Roland

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

The hilt shows no signs of carving.

According to an old and very experienced Africa-collector from Germany with his own small museum this is a clear indication of artifical aging.

His clear statement was: No signs of carving = modern work + artificial aging.

Africans are great experts therein creating a nice old looking patina on wood.

Hi Roland,

I see clearly signs of carving! Also when not carved, how should be this hilt worked? See the signs of carving between the bulbous sections of the hilt.
Maybe Ethan can post a picture from the joint between hilt and blade.

Regards,
Detlef

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Roland,

I see clearly signs of carving! Also when not carved, how should be this hilt worked? See the signs of carving between the bulbous sections of the hilt.
Maybe Ethan can post a picture from the joint between hilt and blade.

Regards,
Detlef

Hello,

It can be machined, with a rotating tool that wouldn't leave the straight surfaces resulted from carving with a blade.

However, although it is dificult to say for sure from the photo, I believe I can clearly distinguish traces of carving.

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hello,

It can be machined, with a rotating tool that wouldn't leave the straight surfaces resulted from carving with a blade.

However, although it is dificult to say for sure from the photo, I believe I can clearly distinguish traces of carving.

Hi,

yes it is pretty difficult to see.

The old collector I mentioned said to me, that the traces of carving must be clearly visible, they don't disappear over the decades.

Nowadays they use machine driven tools to work with wood.
The result will be sandblasted (sometimes) and also treated with a great number of different techniques to create a patina.


I have added a picture of African art, which is imho carved with traditional techniques.


Roland

[EthanRider]

The blade and handle are original, or "born together," as they say. This is not the issue. I am curious if anyone has seen any other comparable examples from this group in Cameroon. As I mentioned in my original post, there is one very comparable example published in two books. Has anyone seen another?