Very nice Bill.
I've got a piece that's very similar, obviously not Fang, appearing to be of Kuba or similar origin, yet unmistakably of the same style as your piece and until now, the only one I've seen.
The two in your photo seem to indicate that these are much more widespread than I'd realized and probably with a definite function, almost certainly NOT currency items.
My original thought had been as a status sceptre, but your mention of the Cameroon dance sickles makes sense.
This one has excellent detail, particularly in the ancestor/fetish figure on the hilt which would seem to indicate a fertility/ritual use.
This one has an overall length of 34", with the hilt figure alone measuring 9".
Mike
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