Restoration or corruption, help
 

This is from my latest blast at ebay, still two pieces to arrive and all funds depleted for some time now. I had only intended to leave a very small bid but forgot the decimal point :o could has been a little alarming. Saying that I am very glad I got this wonderful unique Central African piece "Freddy, Luc what say you?".

The fact that it is so unique has put me in a dilemma. Does such uniqueness demand restoration or is that a corruption of the main appeal as the blade is not in any way important. I am confident I could make sympathetic restoration, not invisible perhaps hidden at first glance, not an eyesore. Opinions please?

Blade 26cm total tip to tip 58cm. I think this is a fascinating object.

Fascinating indeed :)
Old ? 19th century ?
Fernando

Tim

It looks fine to me leave the blade alone if you want a touch of brown paste shoe polish where the leather is scuffed but thats all ;)



Lew

CONSIDERING ITS AGE AND WHERE ITS FROM IT IS IN GREAT SHAPE. THE ONLY THING I SEE DAMMAGED IS ONE SHOULDER ON THE WOOD HANDLE BUT I WOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THAT IF IT WERE MINE. IT LOOKS GOOD TO GO TO ME , ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ENJOY IT AND TRY TO FIND OUT ABOUT IT. CONGRADULATIONS :cool:

The mysterious knife...
Luc

Thank you, at first all I could see was the broken shoulder on the handle. I think to fiddle with it is to damage it even further. Thanks.

I think this is from the Lur tribe, Western Uganda. A rare knife.

Described as MABENDI from Congo in "Beauté Fatale" page 199.
Luc

Thanks chaps so very helpful such a pleasure to show this item. The border between the Congo and Uganda is rather a modern concept. What super responses :cool: .

here it is, not far from Uganda.
Luc

Could the "Lur" suggested by Colin be the "Alur" in the map. Anyway 10 out of 10 to the both of you and a big thank you. Didn't I do well, :cool: okay that's a bit cheesy :cool:

As far as I know "Alur" and "Lur" are one and the same, I have seen it spelt both ways. From memory, I believe there is an example of this type of knife in the Powell-Cotton Museum, Birchington, Kent. Regards.

Marvelous, that place sounds just my sort of thing. Colin do you work there? I will be visiting soon. Could see you there? :eek:

Tim, I don't work there, but have visited the Powell-Cotton Museum quite a few times over the years. Its a super place for anyone interested in African weapons and artefacts, particularly Eastern Africa and the Sudan. All good early material.

Have fun !

Hi Tim,
What an interesting knife :cool: I agree with the majority ...I'd leave it alone.

Hi Colin,
thanks for the info on the museum.....I never knew about it until now... and I'm only a hours drive away :o

Link to the museum, (that I'll be visiting soon ;) )

http://www.ukattraction.com/a_print/...&e=2325ISY&a=0


Regards David