Short Sword with Sheath, ntsakh or fa
Fang, Gabon / Equatorial Guinea / Cameroon
Forged iron blade, embossed iron sheet, iron wire, wood, ornate monitor skin, brass wire and tacks
Late 19th century

This exceptional short sword with its original sheath comes from the Fang, who inhabit the rainforest in an area that stretches over three countries. The sheath, called abam, is composed of two wooden boards covered with stitched lizard skin from the Ornate monitor (Varanus ornatus) and a repoussé-embossed iron sheet with geometric and cowrie shell motifs. While primarily a symbol of status, these blades were also used in a ceremonial context, and were very functional as well, with two sharp cutting edges (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003).

Mounted on a custom display stand, pictured below. 

Published: 100 African Blades, no. 99 (Rider, 2021). 

20.5 in :: 52 cm

InventoryID #13-1300

SOLD