Early XX century (?) Kaskara with decoration

Mauro · 5th November 2009, 02:14 PM

Hi shall try to get some photos of the Kassala kaskara but it is similar to many swords. I.e. on ebay actually there is one that seems its copy .However, the sword I bought in the '80thies was made before. The man that sold it to me was a merchant selling other thinks. I am not able to say how much older but, as I said, it was already used (10 ? 20 ? 30 ? years). You know that many swords are passed from one generation to another. Moreover, in Kassala area there were already people carrying guns and obviously swords had lost their appeal !! The kaskara we are discussiong here, as well as its scabbard, is also worn. Therefore I think it is difficult that it has only 30 years old. I have many gurade from the late XIX and the begining of the XX with their scabbards (Ethiopian swords re one of my passions !) and if I compare their conditions they are better preserved. Is it not possible that this kaskara is Early XX century and was made when the old traditions (Early 1800) were disappearing but still there was somebody that was able to reproduce the original style ?? In 1986 in Kassaka there were no swordmakers and I also did not see them in khartoum although I cannot exclude that I did not find their shop in the capital area! I shall read the Lee Jones's article. Please, when you have time, give me some reference on these swords. You mention Briggs but I don't know this reference. Thanks again
Mauro

5th November 2009, 02:14 PM	#11
Mauro Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 83	Hi shall try to get some photos of the Kassala kaskara but it is similar to many swords. I.e. on ebay actually there is one that seems its copy .However, the sword I bought in the '80thies was made before. The man that sold it to me was a merchant selling other thinks. I am not able to say how much older but, as I said, it was already used (10 ? 20 ? 30 ? years). You know that many swords are passed from one generation to another. Moreover, in Kassala area there were already people carrying guns and obviously swords had lost their appeal !! The kaskara we are discussiong here, as well as its scabbard, is also worn. Therefore I think it is difficult that it has only 30 years old. I have many gurade from the late XIX and the begining of the XX with their scabbards (Ethiopian swords re one of my passions !) and if I compare their conditions they are better preserved. Is it not possible that this kaskara is Early XX century and was made when the old traditions (Early 1800) were disappearing but still there was somebody that was able to reproduce the original style ?? In 1986 in Kassaka there were no swordmakers and I also did not see them in khartoum although I cannot exclude that I did not find their shop in the capital area! I shall read the Lee Jones's article. Please, when you have time, give me some reference on these swords. You mention Briggs but I don't know this reference. Thanks again Mauro Last edited by Rick; 5th November 2009 at 03:24 PM. Reason: removed active auction number; this is not allowed .