Large Throwing Knife
Fur, South Sudan
Iron, leather
Late 19th century
Over the course of the 19th century, this knife transitioned from being an essential weapon of war to an obsolete, old-fashioned weapon. As late as the 1880s, there are reports of infantrymen hurling them with accuracy and efficacy, but as early as the 1920s, they were completely abandoned as weapons. However, the Fur maintained an emotional connection with their throwing knives, and they became symbols of identity and pride, and were danced ceremonially by men and women.
Interestingly, Westerdijk describes the two types of grips that can be found on this throwing knife – one, long, made of thin leather that extends practically up to the crossbar, and another, short, made of tightly woven leather strips. This example wears both grip types (Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988).
27.25 in :: 69 cm
InventoryID #13-1408
SOLD
