Ancient Loop Dagger
Bura, Niger
Iron
3rd - 11th century

This loop dagger was reportedly recovered from a Bura funerary urn. Blandin published six ancient iron blades recovered from archaeological sites along the Niger River, one of which is a loop dagger (Fer Noir. D'Afrique de L'Ouest. 1992, p. 21). 

A large number of terracotta works were found in grave complexes, and were assigned to the 3rd - 11th centuries. They are richly ornamented, in some cases phallically designed, conical receptacles that were buried with the opening facing down and filled with the clothes and belongings of the deceased. Some of them are anthropomorphically designed, such as half-figures, heads, and equestrian figures. The heads, often completely flat, are distinguished by a great deal of simplicity and in most cases decorated with longitudinal bulges in relief (Schaedler, Earth and Ore, 1997). 

12.25 in :: 31 cm

InventoryID #13-1682

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