African Knife/Sword With Copper Wire Work

Lew · 21st February 2010, 03:43 PM

My guess it's one of these tribes Ngbandi, Yakoma, Sango?

Robert · 21st February 2010, 04:26 PM

Hello Lew,
Because of all the copper work my guess was also Ngbandi, but as I said earlier my knowledge of African weapons is VERY limited.

I will see what I can find on Yakoma and Sango weapons. Thank you for your help.

Robert

Tim Simmons · 21st February 2010, 04:55 PM

Very cool, more than makes up for the recent bad buy. You lucky chap.

Freddy · 21st February 2010, 06:21 PM

Yep, you hit the jackpot !

Here is a pic of a similar piece from the book 'Fatal Beauty - Traditional Weapons from Central Africa', Taiwan exhibition 2009

Robert · 21st February 2010, 06:53 PM

Tim and Freddy,
Thank you both for the pictures and kind words and yes, I do feel much better now after that horrible klewang incident.

Now I can't wait for it to get here. Still, would anyone care to offer a guess on the age of this piece?

I know with the terrible picture it would be hard if not impossible to be very accurate but just an idea would be nice. Thanks again.

Robert

Freddy · 21st February 2010, 07:10 PM

It's hard to tell the age of an African piece. The one I showed from the book is documented. The author states that it came from the collection of the Fathers Capuchins from Antwerp (Belgium) with as collection date : between 1880-1920.

I doubt that your piece is as old, but it probably dates from the 50's or 60's. In the beginning of the sixties Congo became independent and a lot of colonists returned to their homecountry, bringing with them these jewels.

I wouldn't ask the seller for more info as he gives the wrong continent as place of origin.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 22nd February 2010, 10:14 PM

Yes very good !
A nice example with the scabbard (rare).
Surely beginning of the 20th.
There is also a copper model.

21st February 2010, 04:55 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Very cool, more than makes up for the recent bad buy. You lucky chap. Attached Images

22nd February 2010, 10:14 PM	#7
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Yes very good ! A nice example with the scabbard (rare). Surely beginning of the 20th. There is also a copper model. Attached Images

21st February 2010, 03:43 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	My guess it's one of these tribes Ngbandi, Yakoma, Sango?

21st February 2010, 04:26 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Lew, Because of all the copper work my guess was also Ngbandi, but as I said earlier my knowledge of African weapons is VERY limited. I will see what I can find on Yakoma and Sango weapons. Thank you for your help. Robert

21st February 2010, 06:21 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Yep, you hit the jackpot ! Here is a pic of a similar piece from the book 'Fatal Beauty - Traditional Weapons from Central Africa', Taiwan exhibition 2009

21st February 2010, 06:53 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Tim and Freddy, Thank you both for the pictures and kind words and yes, I do feel much better now after that horrible klewang incident. Now I can't wait for it to get here. Still, would anyone care to offer a guess on the age of this piece? I know with the terrible picture it would be hard if not impossible to be very accurate but just an idea would be nice. Thanks again. Robert

21st February 2010, 07:10 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	It's hard to tell the age of an African piece. The one I showed from the book is documented. The author states that it came from the collection of the Fathers Capuchins from Antwerp (Belgium) with as collection date : between 1880-1920. I doubt that your piece is as old, but it probably dates from the 50's or 60's. In the beginning of the sixties Congo became independent and a lot of colonists returned to their homecountry, bringing with them these jewels. I wouldn't ask the seller for more info as he gives the wrong continent as place of origin.