Janus-headed, large-bladed African knife

Ian · 23rd June 2024, 08:23 AM

This is a big knife, more in the nature of a short sword. The spatulate blade is made of a copper alloy, probably brass, and the thickness of the blade is no more than 1.5-2.0 mm at its thickest point adjacent to the hilt. The hilt has been cast and is very light for its size; it is hollow throughout and conveys a resonant sound when struck lightly. Both the blade and hilt have a heavy dark patina, suggesting some significant age.

The pommel of the hilt has opposite facing faces, which in Western (Roman) culture is a Janus motif (Ianus Bifolios), the god of opening and closing after whom January is named. I don't know if the same significance applies in the African context. Perhaps someone here is familiar with the significance of this double-headed representation in Central African mythology. I'm uncertain exactly where this one is from, so perhaps somebody can identify its origin and likely age.

Dimensions are as follows:
OAL = 21.75 in. (55.2 cm)
Hilt and guard = 8.75 in. (22.2 cm)
Length of blade = 13.0 in. (33.0 cm)
Max. width of blade = 6.0 in. (15.2 cm)

Provenance: Estate of Helmut and Mari-Anne Zimmer, Zurich
Sold by Hammer Auctionen, Basel, February, 2024.
.

Pertinax · 23rd June 2024, 10:01 AM

Hi Ian

Interesting sword.

The faces on the hilt are similar to the Kifwebe Songye masks.

2 questions arise:

1. Did Songye have copper/brass casting? I don’t have such information, perhaps forum participants have information and examples.

2. Usually in images of Janus (Ianus Bifolios) the faces are different. Songe/Khemba/Luba figurines have two faces – male and female.

Regards, Yuri

Marc M. · 23rd June 2024, 11:01 AM

Hi Ian

I'm thinking more in the direction of West Africa, perhaps Dogon or one of the peoples that use cast brass a lot, like the Yoruba.
Regards
marc

Ian · 23rd June 2024, 05:29 PM

Hi Yuri,
Janus (Ianus) is a really odd god in Roman mythology. The god of the beginning and end; the god of passageways, gateways, doorways, and arches; the controller of who enters and leaves; the guardian of access to other gods; the determiner of victor and vanquished in war. Janus was the first god a Roman prayed to, because he provided an entrée to all the other gods.
Depiction of Janus was usually with two heads (Ianus Bifolios) or sometimes four heads (Ianus Quatrofolios). The heads were usually of the same individual, but of different ages (the young and the elderly, symbolizing the coming and going), or with different facial expressions. This can be seen in statuary, jewellery, and coinage.
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Edster · 23rd June 2024, 09:50 PM

Ian,

A MET head dress is IDed as Janus and said is "Headdresses covered with leather are made by many different peoples living in villages along the Cross River and in Cameroon.

Another site says Ejagham/Ekoi people in lower Nigeria and western Cameroon,

Here's the link with pic:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collec...0in%20Cameroon.

Regards,
Ed

Ian · 24th June 2024, 05:34 AM

Thanks Ed. I will check these out.
Ian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster

Ian,

A MET head dress is IDed as Janus and said is "Headdresses covered with leather are made by many different peoples living in villages along the Cross River and in Cameroon.

Another site says Ejagham/Ekoi people in lower Nigeria and western Cameroon,

Here's the link with pic:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collec...0in%20Cameroon.

Regards,
Ed

23rd June 2024, 08:23 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Janus-headed, large-bladed African knife This is a big knife, more in the nature of a short sword. The spatulate blade is made of a copper alloy, probably brass, and the thickness of the blade is no more than 1.5-2.0 mm at its thickest point adjacent to the hilt. The hilt has been cast and is very light for its size; it is hollow throughout and conveys a resonant sound when struck lightly. Both the blade and hilt have a heavy dark patina, suggesting some significant age. The pommel of the hilt has opposite facing faces, which in Western (Roman) culture is a Janus motif (Ianus Bifolios), the god of opening and closing after whom January is named. I don't know if the same significance applies in the African context. Perhaps someone here is familiar with the significance of this double-headed representation in Central African mythology. I'm uncertain exactly where this one is from, so perhaps somebody can identify its origin and likely age. Dimensions are as follows: OAL = 21.75 in. (55.2 cm) Hilt and guard = 8.75 in. (22.2 cm) Length of blade = 13.0 in. (33.0 cm) Max. width of blade = 6.0 in. (15.2 cm) Provenance: Estate of Helmut and Mari-Anne Zimmer, Zurich Sold by Hammer Auctionen, Basel, February, 2024. . Attached Images

23rd June 2024, 05:29 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Hi Yuri, Janus (Ianus) is a really odd god in Roman mythology. The god of the beginning and end; the god of passageways, gateways, doorways, and arches; the controller of who enters and leaves; the guardian of access to other gods; the determiner of victor and vanquished in war. Janus was the first god a Roman prayed to, because he provided an entrée to all the other gods. Depiction of Janus was usually with two heads (Ianus Bifolios) or sometimes four heads (Ianus Quatrofolios). The heads were usually of the same individual, but of different ages (the young and the elderly, symbolizing the coming and going), or with different facial expressions. This can be seen in statuary, jewellery, and coinage. . Attached Images

23rd June 2024, 10:01 AM	#2
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 164	Hi Ian Interesting sword. The faces on the hilt are similar to the Kifwebe Songye masks. 2 questions arise: 1. Did Songye have copper/brass casting? I don’t have such information, perhaps forum participants have information and examples. 2. Usually in images of Janus (Ianus Bifolios) the faces are different. Songe/Khemba/Luba figurines have two faces – male and female. Regards, Yuri

23rd June 2024, 11:01 AM	#3
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 169	Hi Ian I'm thinking more in the direction of West Africa, perhaps Dogon or one of the peoples that use cast brass a lot, like the Yoruba. Regards marc

23rd June 2024, 09:50 PM	#5
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Ian, A MET head dress is IDed as Janus and said is "Headdresses covered with leather are made by many different peoples living in villages along the Cross River and in Cameroon. Another site says Ejagham/Ekoi people in lower Nigeria and western Cameroon, Here's the link with pic: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collec...0in%20Cameroon. Regards, Ed