Cameroon? Gabon? Congo?

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2009, 08:13 PM

Danny, Freddy and Luc.

What do you make of this?

I might be thinking Cameroon. Why do things always turn up when you cannot afford them? An antique furniture dealer friend found this for me. 50cm in total, blade 33cm. It has never been sharp, a status piece. I have worked hard to remove rather a lot of rust and have run out of light for a good picture, will do that tomorrow. There is an iron ring around the top of the handle at the forte of the blade. Not cheap sadly but I think it is a little bit nice and possibly rather rare.

colin henshaw · 10th February 2009, 08:21 PM

Nice piece - looks like Konda tribe (Congo)...

Regards

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2009, 08:37 PM

Hello Colin, that was my first thoughts but I am not so sure about that any more. I have seen Camaroon knives with the double pommel thing. I have a book that illustrates Songye knives with a bugling tips but no side projections also displaying extended pommels so I am open to all suggestions.

According to Tristan Arbousse Bastide in "Armes Traditionnelles d'Afique" these knives with bulging tips or Songye, Tetela, Kusu?

Lew · 10th February 2009, 10:23 PM

Nice find Tim

Robert · 11th February 2009, 12:49 AM

Hi Tim, Another great addition to your collection. I absolutely love the workmanship on the grip on this piece. Don't know where it's from but I do know that I really like it.

Robert

Gonzalo G · 11th February 2009, 08:10 AM

The blade is also interesting and more time consuming than the craft of the handle.

Tim Simmons · 11th February 2009, 01:41 PM

Thank you for such admiring comments, it helps sooth the pangs of purchase guilt.

Martin Lubojacky · 11th February 2009, 01:48 PM

This sword should by from Guinea (Conakry).

Regards,

Martin

Tim Simmons · 11th February 2009, 04:48 PM

Martin, thank you so much. I just had a feeling it was not Congo. Had no idea it was from the west coast quite north as well.

Tim Simmons · 19th February 2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

This sword should by from Guinea (Conakry).

Regards,

Martin

Martin I have just taken your word on this matter, can you provide further imformation or back up pictures? I ask this because today I have spent some time compering this ceremonial sword with the other west African ceremonial pieces I have and it just does not seem to fit well.
I have found aspects that do bring me back to the Cameroon and there abouts.
Can you help?
I will show these aspects as soon as I can take day light pictures.

Perhaps you mean Equatorial Guinea??

Martin Lubojacky · 20th February 2009, 08:04 AM

Tim,

I am without my books, but I think you can find it in "Zeltene Afrikanische Waffen by Mr Zirngibl". Also, there is one for sell (no as nice as yours) for sell on Belgique Mambele website.

Regards,

Martin

Mapico1 · 20th February 2009, 09:26 AM

Hi Tim,
I asked around and I was told by J.Elsen "Fulbe,Peul" not 100% sure.
The one on Mambele is marked "Ful/Mandingo" I added a pic from Mambele website....
I would say for sure in that region.

Tim Simmons · 20th February 2009, 01:45 PM

Splendid. Thank you all. A very unusual ceremonial sword. The Baga also populate Conakry and surounding coastal area.

http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Baga.html

Tim Simmons · 24th July 2010, 07:25 PM

My curiosity has been roused this evening. I wonder if there may be some confusion about this form of knife. You have to admit it really does have a sub-saharan, Congo look. Perhaps there is a muddling of Guinea and Equatorial Guinea? Seems more like Equat Guinea to me.

10th February 2009, 08:13 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Cameroon? Gabon? Congo? Danny, Freddy and Luc. What do you make of this? I might be thinking Cameroon. Why do things always turn up when you cannot afford them? An antique furniture dealer friend found this for me. 50cm in total, blade 33cm. It has never been sharp, a status piece. I have worked hard to remove rather a lot of rust and have run out of light for a good picture, will do that tomorrow. There is an iron ring around the top of the handle at the forte of the blade. Not cheap sadly but I think it is a little bit nice and possibly rather rare. Attached Images

10th February 2009, 08:37 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Hello Colin, that was my first thoughts but I am not so sure about that any more. I have seen Camaroon knives with the double pommel thing. I have a book that illustrates Songye knives with a bugling tips but no side projections also displaying extended pommels so I am open to all suggestions. According to Tristan Arbousse Bastide in "Armes Traditionnelles d'Afique" these knives with bulging tips or Songye, Tetela, Kusu? Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th February 2009 at 08:51 PM.

11th February 2009, 01:41 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Thank you for such admiring comments, it helps sooth the pangs of purchase guilt. Attached Images

20th February 2009, 09:26 AM	#12
Mapico1 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 86	mystery sword Hi Tim, I asked around and I was told by J.Elsen "Fulbe,Peul" not 100% sure. The one on Mambele is marked "Ful/Mandingo" I added a pic from Mambele website.... I would say for sure in that region. Attached Images

24th July 2010, 07:25 PM	#14
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	My curiosity has been roused this evening. I wonder if there may be some confusion about this form of knife. You have to admit it really does have a sub-saharan, Congo look. Perhaps there is a muddling of Guinea and Equatorial Guinea? Seems more like Equat Guinea to me. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 24th July 2010 at 07:42 PM.

10th February 2009, 08:21 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Nice piece - looks like Konda tribe (Congo)... Regards

10th February 2009, 10:23 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Nice find Tim

11th February 2009, 12:49 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hi Tim, Another great addition to your collection. I absolutely love the workmanship on the grip on this piece. Don't know where it's from but I do know that I really like it. Robert

11th February 2009, 08:10 AM	#6
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	The blade is also interesting and more time consuming than the craft of the handle.

11th February 2009, 01:48 PM	#8
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	This sword should by from Guinea (Conakry). Regards, Martin

11th February 2009, 04:48 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Martin, thank you so much. I just had a feeling it was not Congo. Had no idea it was from the west coast quite north as well.

20th February 2009, 08:04 AM	#11
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	Tim, I am without my books, but I think you can find it in "Zeltene Afrikanische Waffen by Mr Zirngibl". Also, there is one for sell (no as nice as yours) for sell on Belgique Mambele website. Regards, Martin

20th February 2009, 01:45 PM	#13
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Splendid. Thank you all. A very unusual ceremonial sword. The Baga also populate Conakry and surounding coastal area. http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Baga.html