Short Sword / Prestige Blade
Songyé-Beneki / Nsapo, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood, copper, leather
19th century

This prestige blade is a well-defined style that comes from the Songyé-Beneki or Nsapo, however many variations have been recorded. The handle can range from simple carved wood to the fanciest of designs, which is seen here: an iron cap with a copper insert surmounts the handle just above a row of copper studs, which is just above a number of bands in mixed metals. The handle and crossguard are wrapped in leather secured with copper studs. The iron blades can have varying amounts of grooves and incising, and copper work is sometimes present. The copper overlay can be simple or extensive, and the example here is again close to the pinnacle of copperwork found on the type, with a single straight line branching into four curving, intertwining lines, and coming back together as one; in addition, this pattern appears on both sides of the blade.

A 360° video of the handle is viewable below. 

20.75 in :: 52.5 cm

InventoryID #13-2034

SOLD