Elaborately Decorated Short Sword in Scabbard
Tuareg, Niger
Iron, brass, copper, wood
Circa 1970s

The proud Tuareg ethnic group lives in the areas of southern Algeria, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Similar to the swords of the Fulbe warriors, those of the Tuareg also have traditional geometric decorations on the sword and the scabbard (Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga Na Visu, 2009).

According to Thomas Seligman, a Tuareg expert, this piece was likely made by a Tuareg enaden (blacksmith) from the Tahoua region of Niger who might have been influenced by traveling to Saudi Arabia. As the Saudis were funding a number of programs in Niger since 1970, the design of this piece could also have been influenced by a visitor from Saudi Arabia. It was common practice at the time in Niger for extravagantly decorated handmade objects to be made for sale to foreigners (pers. communication, April 2025). 

25.625 in :: 65 cm

InventoryID #13-2684

Price on Request