Prestige Sword in Sheath
Baule, Ivory Coast
Iron, wood, leather, cotton, pelt
Late 19th / early 20th century

Baule prestige blades were renowned for their balanced, harmonious design, expert forging, and lavish decoration. To increase their potency, these weapons were subjected to a sacrificial consecration on the anvil by the blacksmith, in the presence of the customer.

This type, which wears an iron crown atop the handle and displays subtle asymetry on its long blade is a well-documented style, however, very little has been written about it (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003; Zirngibl, "Rare African Short Weapons," 1983).

Two of these swords that had lost their handles were published in Fer Noir (Blandin, 1992), revealing that the iron blade and the elaborate rosette atop the handle are comprised of a single piece of iron. 

In a 1930s photograph by Hans Himmelheber, a Baule man wields a sword of this type, with the sheath in his left hand. The photo caption reads "Entrance of warriors in Kondena" (Museum Rietberg Zürich, Die Kulture der Baule, 1997). 

26.25 in :: 67 cm

InventoryID #13-1650

Price on Request