Elaborately Incised Sickle Blade
Binja / Benge / Zande of the Rafaï Sultanate, Central African Republic / D.R. Congo
Forged iron, wood
Early 20th century

This model is quite rare. The blades of the Binja typically share the characteristcs seen on this blade of the handle shape, spur style (and presence of a spur), and general form. Other comparable examples of this uncommon type have been collected among the Zande of Rafaï and the Benge. These three groups neighbor the Boa and the Bandia, who produced blades with comparable incision designs and general outlines (Elsen, Tribal Arms Monographs: The Sickle Weapons, Part 1, 1996).

The weight, incision work, and overall execution of this blade are superior. This example comes from the collection of Heinrich Westerdijk, and was illustrated in his 1975 book Ijzerwerk van Centraal-Afrika.

Mounted on a custom display stand, pictured below. 

Published: 100 African Blades, no. 59 (Rider, 2021). 

24.5 in :: 62 cm

InventoryID #13-1265

SOLD