14th November 2024, 10:06 PM | #1 |
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African knife figural West Africa
This item is essentially in knife form, modern and well made, but IMO too much so to be regarded souvenir. The blade is unfullered sheet steel without edges. (no picture unfortunately).
To me it seems West African, but it seems similar figure popularity of this kind filters into Congo as well and likely even further. The curious design on the scabbard and the inlay of gold metal wire into wood (mahogany?) might be to particular tribal group? Really need help from you guys specializing in African stuff. |
14th November 2024, 11:40 PM | #2 |
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Contemporary piece from Tanzania/Zanzibar.
Best regards, Yuri |
15th November 2024, 12:17 PM | #3 |
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Hi Jim
Objects made for sale to tourists are often very skillfully made, even if they are of a high quality in terms of carving they are often made to appeal to tourists and have nothing to very little to do with cultural origins. So, in my opinion, does this object. Best regards Marc |
15th November 2024, 03:14 PM | #4 |
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Thank you Pertinax and Marc very much for this information! It is surprising that this dagger is from the east in Tanzania and Zanzibar as I thought the figural art of the hilt resembled more of West African culture. It is also interesting that souvenir items are made with such quality. I am always amazed at the skill and craftsmanship of native artisans.
Is it possible that while apparently sold as souvenirs in these Tanzanian area outlets that the knives themselves might have come from West African sources? Modern commercialism is of course global, but could these figure type knives have become more universally represented even with distant cultural ties? Or as suggested, are such items simply aesthetic? I have always studied arms from historical and ethnographic perspective, but these kinds of situations are perplexing in such research. It would be interesting to hear thoughts in this regard from those of you who study and collect in these ethnographic fields of the African continent. Thank you again guys! Jim |
15th November 2024, 03:57 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
Souvenirs from Zanzibar |
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16th November 2024, 10:24 AM | #6 |
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[QUOTE=Jim McDougall;294275]Thank you Pertinax and Marc very much for this information! It is surprising that this dagger is from the east in Tanzania and Zanzibar as I thought the figural art of the hilt resembled more of West African culture. It is also interesting that souvenir items are made with such quality. I am always amazed at the skill and craftsmanship of native artisans.
Is it possible that while apparently sold as souvenirs in these Tanzanian area outlets that the knives themselves might have come from West African sources? Modern commercialism is of course global, but could these figure type knives have become more universally represented even with distant cultural ties? Or as suggested, are such items simply aesthetic? I have always studied arms from historical and ethnographic perspective, but these kinds of situations are perplexing in such research. It would be interesting to hear thoughts in this regard from those of you who study and collect in these ethnographic fields of the African continent. Thank you again guys! Jim[/QU |
16th November 2024, 10:25 AM | #7 | |
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[QUOTE=Marc M.;294286]
Quote:
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16th November 2024, 11:06 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
Best regards Marc |
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16th November 2024, 11:07 AM | #9 |
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he two previous posts may be deleted, was clumsy again.
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16th November 2024, 11:59 AM | #10 |
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Zanzibar has very skilled wood carvers and a large selection of good wood. They produce a large number of different items; I visited several workshops and observed the manufacturing process. These are fantasy items that I showed, as well as Massai seme swords, Massai orkuma clubs (rungu, morani), spears, masks, various figurines. You can buy all this in every small tourist shop.
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16th November 2024, 12:31 PM | #11 |
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The center is a Kuba Ikul.
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16th November 2024, 12:55 PM | #12 |
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17th November 2024, 12:42 AM | #13 |
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Guys thank you all again!
While disappointing to see that the potential for acquiring authentic old tribal items is nominal at best with these commercial items in circulation, it only encourages more study in depth to learn the nuances of original items. Collecting has become far more daunting in all fields, so the expertise of all here who specialize in certain areas shared in discussion is incredibly valuable. By learning what to look for with original items and awareness of 'products' in circulation we can better gauge our acquisitions. As always, caveat emptor! |
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