Janus-headed, large-bladed African knife

[Ian]

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.
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[Pertinax]

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.]

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]

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]

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]

Thanks Ed. I will check these out.
Ian.

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