Baule Sword; check of the bucket list.

drac2k · 21st October 2019, 09:57 PM

Like quite a few of us, I have items that I am looking for to place into my collection; I just acquired one of these, a Baule sword. The 1929 collection tag is interesting. Also, why are the shells, which appear to be rather common, seem to be a status or prestige item?

ariel · 22nd October 2019, 11:56 AM

Try not to complete bucket lists: a person checking the last item is obligated to join the choir invisible:-)
Shells were monetary equivalents in Africa. This one might have been a local equivalent of a $1000 bill. Who knows... It is red and much bigger than a usual cowrie. To become a millionaire one had to spend a whole morning on a beach:-)

Africans might have asked a similar question about our banknotes: pieces of paper with some bearded faces on them.

CharlesS · 22nd October 2019, 01:14 PM

A superb example of a Baule sword and in excellent condition. These are scarce under any circumstances, but especially in this condition.

Congrats...and if you ever decide to let it go...

drac2k · 22nd October 2019, 03:25 PM

Thank you both for your kind comments.
Ariel, you are correct, all things are relative to time and perception; in the past one might have to spend many days on the beach to become wealthy, whereas now, one has to be rich prior to being able to spend time seaside.

LJ · 22nd October 2019, 08:02 PM

Before you fall prey to "completed list syndrome" there could be one more thing to go into that bucket: a copy of the catalogue of the "tentoonstelling van oude kunst" exhibition of 1929. I see that copies are offered for sale on the internet.

Wonder if your sword is illustrated in it?

drac2k · 23rd October 2019, 04:35 AM

Wow, worth looking into!

21st October 2019, 09:57 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	Baule Sword; check off the bucket list. Like quite a few of us, I have items that I am looking for to place into my collection; I just acquired one of these, a Baule sword. The 1929 collection tag is interesting. Also, why are the shells, which appear to be rather common, seem to be a status or prestige item? Attached Images Last edited by drac2k; 22nd October 2019 at 12:46 AM.

22nd October 2019, 11:56 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Try not to complete bucket lists: a person checking the last item is obligated to join the choir invisible:-) Shells were monetary equivalents in Africa. This one might have been a local equivalent of a $1000 bill. Who knows... It is red and much bigger than a usual cowrie. To become a millionaire one had to spend a whole morning on a beach:-) Africans might have asked a similar question about our banknotes: pieces of paper with some bearded faces on them.

22nd October 2019, 01:14 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A superb example of a Baule sword and in excellent condition. These are scarce under any circumstances, but especially in this condition. Congrats...and if you ever decide to let it go...

22nd October 2019, 03:25 PM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	Thank you both for your kind comments. Ariel, you are correct, all things are relative to time and perception; in the past one might have to spend many days on the beach to become wealthy, whereas now, one has to be rich prior to being able to spend time seaside.

22nd October 2019, 08:02 PM	#5
LJ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 93	Before you fall prey to "completed list syndrome" there could be one more thing to go into that bucket: a copy of the catalogue of the "tentoonstelling van oude kunst" exhibition of 1929. I see that copies are offered for sale on the internet. Wonder if your sword is illustrated in it?

23rd October 2019, 04:35 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	Wow, worth looking into!