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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 83
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Hello everybody, I bought this knife that the seller attributed to West Africa. I share his attribution although I do not know any other similar knife. In fact the form of the blade, 70 cm long, show some similarities with the Baulè knives. The blade is original and it has not been shortened. It is very well made, flexible and sturdy at the same time. I would say that it is european. The handle is very peculiar because it is decorated with copper wires with intricate design that I have seen only in some Tuareg daggers.
Does anyone have more informations ?? |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,715
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I have seen similar wire work by Philippine/Moro blades! But never a knife like this.
![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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The blade makes me think of Baule tribe as well.
Some past threads that might be of interest: http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...ighlight=baule http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...ighlight=baule The hilt on your sword however does not appear Baule to me... |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 83
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Yes, Iain, the blade has some similaritiy with a Baule but I noted these decoration on some Telek. I add for camparison some photos I copied in the web.
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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Hi Mauro,
I agree the sword is probably not Baule, it is possible to see this blade style in other cultures. For example here is an almost takouba like sword that was sold at auction a while ago with this style blade. http://p2.la-img.com/690/18683/6326445_1_l.jpg And here is an interesting wooden sword with a similar hilt shape. http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/...20%2F%20%20394 I am sure I have seen at least one very similar sword before but I am having trouble remembering where... Cheers, Iain |
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#6 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Mauro
Here is a link to one I have with a scabbard. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...frican+machete |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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That's the one I was thinking of! The leather decoration on Lew's example certainly makes me think of the general Sahel region. It doesn't not seem specifically Manding though (lack of the usual cross hatch motif and rounded 'ribs' of leather).
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 83
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thanks Lew and Iain for the information. I am not able to open the http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology...%20%2F%20%20394 Is there any mistake in the link ? I am happy to have found a twin of my machete and it also has a scabbard that add some information about the possible provenience of the piece. Thanks also to Lew for the connection to a previous thread that contains the list of symbols for west Africa. I already noted some of them in some swords but I have to find where.
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,693
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I hope this link will work.
http://anthro.amnh.org//anthropology...vMHs1Huc.email |
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 83
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Iain, it works but it is not very similar. Thanks anyway.
Lew, would you be so kind to add a more detailed photo of your scabbard ? |
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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Isn't it peculiarly similar to the so-called Beduin pseudo-shashkas?
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#12 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 83
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Hi Ariel, could you add some photos or reference. Thanks
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#13 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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Here are examples from Artzi Yarom's site:
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=67 http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3538 |
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#14 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 83
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Many thanks Ariel. I really appreciate. I follow the Artzi site but erroneously almost uniquely the African side. You are right, these swords have many similarities with the sword I bought. The form of the handle is similar but the copper decorations of the handle in my blade is peculiar and I also note that the blade I presented is truncated as well as the blade of Lew. The scabbard of the Lew knife is also quite typical of West Africa. The fact that Bedouin tribes crossed the Sahara and are found from Maroc and other north African countries could suggest that our form is a slightly modified form of the blade you show to us. I think it is a quite good explanation and I would say that this is a blade of the Western African Bedouins. Many thanks again
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