Grooved, Blackened Short Sword, Ntsakh or Fa
Fang, Gabon / Equatorial Guinea / Cameroon
Iron, wood, brass
Early 20th century

This fine short sword comes from the Fang, who inhabit the rainforest in an area that stretches over three countries. It would have originally been carried in a sheath, called abam, composed of two wooden boards typically covered with stitched lizard skin from the Ornate monitor (Varanus ornatus). While primarily a symbol of status, these blades were also used in a ceremonial context, and are very functional as well, with two sharp cutting edges (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003).

The two wooden parts of the handle extending left and right have been restored. 

24.75 in :: 63 cm

InventoryID #13-2817

SOLD