Ceremonial / Prestige Blade with Open-Mouth Monitor Sheath
Fur / Fundj / Hameg / Gule / Ingessana, Sudan
Iron, wood, Nile monitor, leather, copper
Late 19th century

From the regions of the Blue and White Nile come an assortment of prestige swords, daggers, and knives that are above all characterized by their unpractical aspect. The blades are incised with deeply cut geometrical patterns, and occasionally animal figures or Arabic script. The scabbards of these weapons are often made of entire reptiles, the gaping mouths of which form the opening to sheathe the blade. Most of these weapons date back to the Madhi period (1885-1898) and seem to have served only for ceremony (Westerdijk, African Metal Implements, 1984; Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga Na Visu, 2009).

A tag from the previous owner, who acquired most of his knives in the UK, indicates that he purchased this piece on 27 Sep. 1991.

Mounted on a custom display stand, pictured below. 

23 in :: 59 cm

InventoryID #13-1495

SOLD