Dahomey cutlass ?

katana · 27th August 2009, 11:40 AM

Many of the descriptions mention that the blade was like a European 'straightedge' with a black stick handle .....so I suppose it looked something like this....

Martin Lubojacky · 28th August 2009, 09:02 PM

Hello,

Allow me to come back to ceremonial swords from Gulf of Guinea region - just to share pictures. It is concerned Yoruba swords recently acquired in Ibadan (200 kms from Lagos). Except of the one in the centre the blades are embelished from both sides. The blade of upper one is made of very well forged steel, it is stout and springy and also sharp.
Regards,
Martin

Jim McDougall · 28th August 2009, 09:57 PM

Martin,
Absolutely breathtaking examples, and thank you so much for sharing these with the detail of all the decorative motif! This is key to understanding the symbolism important to these cultures.
Excellent!

All the best,
Jim

katana · 28th August 2009, 10:24 PM

Very nice Martin

,
I especially like the first and last examples....I think the middle one is more recent. I believe the animal motifs on the last one are chameleons.....

"....The chameleon was thought to be one of the primordial animals that created the universe. Because of its slow walk and slow character, it was too late in bringing the message of the Great One to all people. So instead, the lizard brings death to the world, dooming every living creature to die....."

Regards David

Martin Lubojacky · 29th August 2009, 07:37 PM

Thank you David and Jim.
David, the middle sword is more recent, but it´s blade was so rusty and after mild cleaning so spotted, that I decided to clean it properly (bicarbonate solution + aluminium). On the other side, it was nearly not necessary to touch the one with chameleons....I did not know what to do with the iron blade, as the rust is going very deep - it was cca 2 months in oil.
In Ibadan I also saw rests of two old ada swords, but the iron blades were too much damaged with rust (parts missing). The handles were made of copper and one very nice - in the form of small statue of Benin soldier.
Regards,
Martin

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2009, 09:32 PM

Martin.

The examples you show here are superb so much so I have taken the liberty to resize them so to make them easy to understand. Lovely things.

Jeff D · 2nd September 2009, 03:08 AM

Great thread!

I thought I would post this piece that I have posted a few years ago. It came out of South Africa as a Benin ada. It was either cast in two pieces, or was broken and brassed together.

All the best
Jeff

Martin Lubojacky · 2nd September 2009, 10:56 AM

Thank you Tim

27th August 2009, 11:40 AM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Many of the descriptions mention that the blade was like a European 'straightedge' with a black stick handle .....so I suppose it looked something like this.... Attached Images

28th August 2009, 09:02 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Hello, Allow me to come back to ceremonial swords from Gulf of Guinea region - just to share pictures. It is concerned Yoruba swords recently acquired in Ibadan (200 kms from Lagos). Except of the one in the centre the blades are embelished from both sides. The blade of upper one is made of very well forged steel, it is stout and springy and also sharp. Regards, Martin Attached Images

1st September 2009, 09:32 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	Martin. The examples you show here are superb so much so I have taken the liberty to resize them so to make them easy to understand. Lovely things. Attached Images

2nd September 2009, 03:08 AM	#7
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Great thread! I thought I would post this piece that I have posted a few years ago. It came out of South Africa as a Benin ada. It was either cast in two pieces, or was broken and brassed together. All the best Jeff Attached Images

28th August 2009, 09:57 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,660	Martin, Absolutely breathtaking examples, and thank you so much for sharing these with the detail of all the decorative motif! This is key to understanding the symbolism important to these cultures. Excellent! All the best, Jim

28th August 2009, 10:24 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Very nice Martin , I especially like the first and last examples....I think the middle one is more recent. I believe the animal motifs on the last one are chameleons..... "....The chameleon was thought to be one of the primordial animals that created the universe. Because of its slow walk and slow character, it was too late in bringing the message of the Great One to all people. So instead, the lizard brings death to the world, dooming every living creature to die....." Regards David

29th August 2009, 07:37 PM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Thank you David and Jim. David, the middle sword is more recent, but it´s blade was so rusty and after mild cleaning so spotted, that I decided to clean it properly (bicarbonate solution + aluminium). On the other side, it was nearly not necessary to touch the one with chameleons....I did not know what to do with the iron blade, as the rust is going very deep - it was cca 2 months in oil. In Ibadan I also saw rests of two old ada swords, but the iron blades were too much damaged with rust (parts missing). The handles were made of copper and one very nice - in the form of small statue of Benin soldier. Regards, Martin

2nd September 2009, 10:56 AM	#8
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Thank you Tim