African Knife/Sword With Copper Wire Work

Robert · 21st February 2010, 08:37 AM

Just ended http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1 What can anybody tell me about this item? I found it very interesting that the scabbard as well as the hilt on this piece is covered in copper. Is this a status piece, a show of wealth, for everyday use or just a fancy tourist item?

Sorry about the picture quality, it is from the auction. I will post more and hopefully better pictures after it arrives. All comments on where this is from, age or any other information would be greatly welcomed as I know very little of African weapons. I would guess that this could be Ngbandi but would appreciate help from the experts.

Robert

Sajen · 21st February 2010, 12:19 PM

Hi Robert,

I know nothing about african weapons but this don't look tourist to my eyes and I think that you have done very good by this buy.

Detlef

Flavio · 21st February 2010, 01:28 PM

Yeah! you do a very excellent buy!!

Robert · 21st February 2010, 02:05 PM

Sajen and Flavio,
Thank you both for your kind words. I am happy that this is not just tourist junk and turned out to be a good buy as I was very worried when no one else bid on it besides one other person who only bid the opening amount and myself. Do either of you have any idea of the age of this piece? Thank you both again.

Robert

katana · 21st February 2010, 02:19 PM

Hi Robert,
bargain buy

Congolese (most likely) the wire wrap looks recent....hopefully a recent repair and not an indication of recent manufacture, although the scabbard and blade seem to have some age... so 'repair' seems most likely.

Regards David

Robert · 21st February 2010, 02:38 PM

Hello David, and thank you for responding to this post. I believe the grip binding looks the way it does because the seller started to "clean" the item up before placing it up for auction.

Robert

Sajen · 21st February 2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

Sajen and Flavio,
Thank you both for your kind words. I am happy that this is not just tourist junk and turned out to be a good buy as I was very worried when no one else bid on it besides one other person who only bid the opening amount and myself. Do either of you have any idea of the age of this piece? Thank you both again.

Robert

No idea of age but when I look to the scabbard I think that the piece have a good age.

Lew · 21st February 2010, 03:43 PM

My guess it's one of these tribes Ngbandi, Yakoma, Sango?

21st February 2010, 08:37 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	African Knife/Sword With Copper Wire Work Just ended http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1 What can anybody tell me about this item? I found it very interesting that the scabbard as well as the hilt on this piece is covered in copper. Is this a status piece, a show of wealth, for everyday use or just a fancy tourist item? Sorry about the picture quality, it is from the auction. I will post more and hopefully better pictures after it arrives. All comments on where this is from, age or any other information would be greatly welcomed as I know very little of African weapons. I would guess that this could be Ngbandi but would appreciate help from the experts. Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 21st February 2010 at 09:15 AM.

21st February 2010, 12:19 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Hi Robert, I know nothing about african weapons but this don't look tourist to my eyes and I think that you have done very good by this buy. Detlef

21st February 2010, 01:28 PM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Yeah! you do a very excellent buy!!

21st February 2010, 02:05 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Sajen and Flavio, Thank you both for your kind words. I am happy that this is not just tourist junk and turned out to be a good buy as I was very worried when no one else bid on it besides one other person who only bid the opening amount and myself. Do either of you have any idea of the age of this piece? Thank you both again. Robert

21st February 2010, 02:19 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Robert, bargain buy Congolese (most likely) the wire wrap looks recent....hopefully a recent repair and not an indication of recent manufacture, although the scabbard and blade seem to have some age... so 'repair' seems most likely. Regards David

21st February 2010, 02:38 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello David, and thank you for responding to this post. I believe the grip binding looks the way it does because the seller started to "clean" the item up before placing it up for auction. Robert

21st February 2010, 03:43 PM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	My guess it's one of these tribes Ngbandi, Yakoma, Sango?