Heavy Billhook in Sheath
Oromo / Sidamo / Darassa, Ethiopia
Iron, wood, leather
19th century

There are very few examples of this type. Described either as armament or as a functional knife for cutting, it has one sharpened edge and one thick, dull edge. The blade itself is substantial, as is the heavy iron elements holding the blade into the handle; total weight is: 897g. Because of the shape of the blade, it enters the sheath from the side, not the top.    

A photograph in the Frobenius Institue from 1954-55 depicts another example with a sheath, very similarly constructed, but less ornate than this sheath (FoA 27-KB019-08.a). A closely related knife (without sheath) is in the collection of the Quai Branly, Paris, donated in 1890 (71.1890.28.110). Two more related axamples (without sheaths) are in the Pitt Rivers Collection, Oxford (1921.53.7.1; 1973.14.56). 

One example auctioned by Oldman was described as a "Walam Knife"(Sale #120, vol. x, lot 7). That auction describes the sheath: "curious hide sheath with opening at back."

15.75 in :: 40 cm

InventoryID #13-2066

Price on Request