Ceremonial Spear with Open Mouth Monitor
Fur (Mahdiyah), Sudan
Iron, monitor
Early 20th 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 impractical characteristics. The blades are sometimes 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).

27.25 in :: 69 cm

InventoryID #13-2635

SOLD