Cameroon? Gabon? Congo?
 

Danny, Freddy and Luc.

What do you make of this?

I might be thinking Cameroon. Why do things always turn up when you cannot afford them? An antique furniture dealer friend found this for me. 50cm in total, blade 33cm. It has never been sharp, a status piece. I have worked hard to remove rather a lot of rust and have run out of light for a good picture, will do that tomorrow. There is an iron ring around the top of the handle at the forte of the blade. Not cheap sadly but I think it is a little bit nice and possibly rather rare. :cool: :eek: :eek: :)

Nice piece - looks like Konda tribe (Congo)...

Regards

Hello Colin, that was my first thoughts but I am not so sure about that any more. I have seen Camaroon knives with the double pommel thing. I have a book that illustrates Songye knives with a bugling tips but no side projections also displaying extended pommels so I am open to all suggestions.

According to Tristan Arbousse Bastide in "Armes Traditionnelles d'Afique" these knives with bulging tips or Songye, Tetela, Kusu?

Nice find Tim :)

Hi Tim, Another great addition to your collection. I absolutely love the workmanship on the grip on this piece. Don't know where it's from but I do know that I really like it. :)

Robert

The blade is also interesting and more time consuming than the craft of the handle.

Thank you for such admiring comments, it helps sooth the pangs of purchase guilt.

This sword should by from Guinea (Conakry).

Regards,

Martin

Martin, thank you so much. I just had a feeling it was not Congo. Had no idea it was from the west coast quite north as well.

Martin I have just taken your word on this matter, can you provide further imformation or back up pictures? I ask this because today I have spent some time compering this ceremonial sword with the other west African ceremonial pieces I have and it just does not seem to fit well.
I have found aspects that do bring me back to the Cameroon and there abouts.
Can you help?
I will show these aspects as soon as I can take day light pictures.

Perhaps you mean Equatorial Guinea??

Tim,

I am without my books, but I think you can find it in "Zeltene Afrikanische Waffen by Mr Zirngibl". Also, there is one for sell (no as nice as yours) for sell on Belgique Mambele website.

Regards,

Martin

mystery sword
 

Hi Tim,
I asked around and I was told by J.Elsen "Fulbe,Peul" not 100% sure.
The one on Mambele is marked "Ful/Mandingo" I added a pic from Mambele website....
I would say for sure in that region.

Splendid. Thank you all. A very unusual ceremonial sword. The Baga also populate Conakry and surounding coastal area.

http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Baga.html

My curiosity has been roused this evening. I wonder if there may be some confusion about this form of knife. You have to admit it really does have a sub-saharan, Congo look. Perhaps there is a muddling of Guinea and Equatorial Guinea? Seems more like Equat Guinea to me. :shrug: