Short Sword with Sheath, ntsakh or fa
Fang, Gabon/Equatorial Guinea/Cameroon
Steel, wood, brass wire, Ornate monitor skin
Early 20th century

This fine short sword with its original sheath comes from the Fang, who inhabit the rainforest in an area that stretches over three countries. Typical of its type, it is constructed with the finest steel and embellished with precise incisions that resemble scarification patterns of the Fang. The sheath, called abam, is composed of two wooden boards 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).

This knife and its sheath are mounted on two individual custom bases, but the sheath base can support both pieces together as well.

(Knife in sheath) 22.5 in :: 57 cm

InventoryID #13-932

SOLD