What On Earth Pt. 2

katana · 29th January 2010, 12:40 PM

Hi Jim,
I believe the hilt/forte section of the sword is West African, I too have seen the cross symbol before....and like you and Tim cannot 'place' it. The 'guard' looks like some of the Akan goldweight designs ....and I wouldn't be surprised if the 'cross' symbol is Akan (or neighbouring regions). Although not in this 'sample' of symbols, here are a few which are quite stylised ...and some similar....
http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra_index.htm

Its the main section of the blade that seems to be the

.....yes perfect for the symbolism of the snake....but seems unlikely to be locally made. Could such blades been supplied as imported 'trade blades' ? ....I think unlikely. Perhaps the blade was traded with the East Coast (via India, trade between India and the West coast has been well established for hundreds of years)... and carried overland to the West via the numerous trade routes.

I also agree with you and Tim, a status sword makes sense, if the hilt is solid iron/steel the weight could improve the balance, if carried, ceremonially 'upright'.

I wonder whether a fellow formite bought this, and if they did, I hope they post it.

Regards David

fearn · 29th January 2010, 05:32 PM

While I could go with an African bearing sword, I've seen that circle on Chinese blades before. I agree with Gav: it feels like a composite piece based on a Chinese original. I'm not happy about the rawhide(?) and copper wire binding. It looks crude. My guess is that the basal half of the blade was cut down from a longer sword, and/or the base was welded onto an existing chinese sword blade. The function of the current piece is what I don't get.

Best,

F

G. McCormack · 29th January 2010, 06:55 PM

12 pounds is really heavy...def. looks chinese, with some recent funny rawhide and copper wire happening. "temple" sword?

mross · 29th January 2010, 08:02 PM

Been looking at this. 130cm by 6cm @ 12lbs. So it's a little over 3 feet and about 2.5 insches wide. Do not know how thick it is but where is the 12 pounds coming from? What is it made out of lead? The given dimensions put it at about the size of a kaskara.

CourseEight · 29th January 2010, 08:51 PM

130 cm is 51.2 inches, or about 4 and a quarter ft.

mross · 29th January 2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CourseEight

130 cm is 51.2 inches, or about 4 and a quarter ft.

Yep your right miscounted, never did like metric, that must be where the extra pounds are hiding. So it's bigger then a kaskara, here is one it's not bigger then, the weight is still a bit high;

http://www.museumreplicas.com/p-216-...and-sword.aspx

fearn · 30th January 2010, 01:59 AM

Wanna bet that the pommel is lead? That weight is high for steel.

29th January 2010, 12:40 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jim, I believe the hilt/forte section of the sword is West African, I too have seen the cross symbol before....and like you and Tim cannot 'place' it. The 'guard' looks like some of the Akan goldweight designs ....and I wouldn't be surprised if the 'cross' symbol is Akan (or neighbouring regions). Although not in this 'sample' of symbols, here are a few which are quite stylised ...and some similar.... http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra_index.htm Its the main section of the blade that seems to be the .....yes perfect for the symbolism of the snake....but seems unlikely to be locally made. Could such blades been supplied as imported 'trade blades' ? ....I think unlikely. Perhaps the blade was traded with the East Coast (via India, trade between India and the West coast has been well established for hundreds of years)... and carried overland to the West via the numerous trade routes. I also agree with you and Tim, a status sword makes sense, if the hilt is solid iron/steel the weight could improve the balance, if carried, ceremonially 'upright'. I wonder whether a fellow formite bought this, and if they did, I hope they post it. Regards David

29th January 2010, 05:32 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	While I could go with an African bearing sword, I've seen that circle on Chinese blades before. I agree with Gav: it feels like a composite piece based on a Chinese original. I'm not happy about the rawhide(?) and copper wire binding. It looks crude. My guess is that the basal half of the blade was cut down from a longer sword, and/or the base was welded onto an existing chinese sword blade. The function of the current piece is what I don't get. Best, F

29th January 2010, 06:55 PM	#3
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	12 pounds is really heavy...def. looks chinese, with some recent funny rawhide and copper wire happening. "temple" sword?

29th January 2010, 08:02 PM	#4
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Been looking at this. 130cm by 6cm @ 12lbs. So it's a little over 3 feet and about 2.5 insches wide. Do not know how thick it is but where is the 12 pounds coming from? What is it made out of lead? The given dimensions put it at about the size of a kaskara.

29th January 2010, 08:51 PM	#5
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	130 cm is 51.2 inches, or about 4 and a quarter ft.

30th January 2010, 01:59 AM	#7
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Wanna bet that the pommel is lead? That weight is high for steel.