Restoration or corruption, help

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2008, 01:12 PM

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

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.

fernando · 6th May 2008, 01:39 PM

Fascinating indeed

Old ? 19th century ?
Fernando

Lew · 6th May 2008, 03:42 PM

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

VANDOO · 6th May 2008, 04:18 PM

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

Luc LEFEBVRE · 6th May 2008, 04:21 PM

The mysterious knife...
Luc

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2008, 04:22 PM

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.

colin henshaw · 6th May 2008, 05:55 PM

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

Luc LEFEBVRE · 6th May 2008, 06:25 PM

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

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2008, 06:37 PM

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

.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 6th May 2008, 06:41 PM

here it is, not far from Uganda.
Luc

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2008, 06:47 PM

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,

okay that's a bit cheesy

colin henshaw · 6th May 2008, 07:23 PM

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.

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2008, 07:34 PM

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

colin henshaw · 6th May 2008, 07:42 PM

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 !

katana · 6th May 2008, 10:26 PM

Hi Tim,
What an interesting knife

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

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

)

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

Regards David

6th May 2008, 01:12 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	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 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. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 6th May 2008 at 01:37 PM.

6th May 2008, 06:25 PM	#8
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Described as MABENDI from Congo in "Beauté Fatale" page 199. Luc Attached Images

6th May 2008, 06:41 PM	#10
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	here it is, not far from Uganda. Luc Attached Images

6th May 2008, 01:39 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Fascinating indeed Old ? 19th century ? Fernando

6th May 2008, 03:42 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	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

6th May 2008, 04:18 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	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

6th May 2008, 04:21 PM	#5
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	The mysterious knife... Luc

6th May 2008, 04:22 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	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.

6th May 2008, 05:55 PM	#7
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	I think this is from the Lur tribe, Western Uganda. A rare knife.

6th May 2008, 06:37 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	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 .

6th May 2008, 06:47 PM	#11
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	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, okay that's a bit cheesy

6th May 2008, 07:23 PM	#12
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	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.

6th May 2008, 07:34 PM	#13
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Marvelous, that place sounds just my sort of thing. Colin do you work there? I will be visiting soon. Could see you there?

6th May 2008, 07:42 PM	#14
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	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 !

6th May 2008, 10:26 PM	#15
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, What an interesting knife 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 Link to the museum, (that I'll be visiting soon ) http://www.ukattraction.com/a_print/...&e=2325ISY&a=0 Regards David