Some small African knives

Freddy · 29th March 2007, 10:30 AM

Here are some of the smallest pieces in my collection. Even though they are small, I still like these knives. They are probably simple functional pieces. Their origin lies in Congo, but that's all I know.

Great thing about them : they don't take a lot of space

. And that is important in any collection, no ?

The first three are the smallest.

From left to right : 23 cm, 14,5 cm and 14 cm.

This fourth dagger is peculiar. I have never seen one with a similar handle. The handle is wood with some copper wire as ferule. On one side a copper nail with a small circular metal 'plaque' (?) has been added. Total length is 27,5 cm.
I have no idea where this one comes from. Anyone else has an idea ?

katana · 29th March 2007, 03:36 PM

Hi Freddy,
can't help with ID but I like the largest dagger....seems to have a well forged blade

The blade shape is similar to a African short sword I have... which could be from the Benin area

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=gladius

David

Tim Simmons · 29th March 2007, 08:55 PM

The knives in the first picture could be Mangbetu?

and maybe the second picture. I like the hole in the blade, interesting surface, rather nice.

Freddy · 1st April 2007, 05:53 PM

You could be right, Tim, when saying these three daggers are Mangbetu. Especially the smallest one has a handle similar to the ones found on Mangbetu daggers.

As to the other dagger : I'm still looking.

Here's a picture (hope it gives enough detail) of the texture of the knife blade. It reminds me a bit of the texture on some kerises.

Flavio · 1st April 2007, 06:03 PM

Hello Freddy, the three seem to be mangbetu even if quite rude. The other to me remember some ngbandi blade even if the handle is something never seen. Anyway nice pieces

Tim Simmons · 11th April 2007, 05:49 PM

Look at these. I think your knives are Mangbetu, Zande ect, bordering the Soudan?
http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1934.8.122/
http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1930.86.12/

29th March 2007, 10:30 AM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Some small African knives Here are some of the smallest pieces in my collection. Even though they are small, I still like these knives. They are probably simple functional pieces. Their origin lies in Congo, but that's all I know. Great thing about them : they don't take a lot of space . And that is important in any collection, no ? The first three are the smallest. From left to right : 23 cm, 14,5 cm and 14 cm. This fourth dagger is peculiar. I have never seen one with a similar handle. The handle is wood with some copper wire as ferule. On one side a copper nail with a small circular metal 'plaque' (?) has been added. Total length is 27,5 cm. I have no idea where this one comes from. Anyone else has an idea ?

29th March 2007, 03:36 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Freddy, can't help with ID but I like the largest dagger....seems to have a well forged blade The blade shape is similar to a African short sword I have... which could be from the Benin area http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=gladius David

29th March 2007, 08:55 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	The knives in the first picture could be Mangbetu? and maybe the second picture. I like the hole in the blade, interesting surface, rather nice.

1st April 2007, 05:53 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You could be right, Tim, when saying these three daggers are Mangbetu. Especially the smallest one has a handle similar to the ones found on Mangbetu daggers. As to the other dagger : I'm still looking. Here's a picture (hope it gives enough detail) of the texture of the knife blade. It reminds me a bit of the texture on some kerises.

1st April 2007, 06:03 PM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Freddy, the three seem to be mangbetu even if quite rude. The other to me remember some ngbandi blade even if the handle is something never seen. Anyway nice pieces

11th April 2007, 05:49 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Look at these. I think your knives are Mangbetu, Zande ect, bordering the Soudan? http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1934.8.122/ http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1930.86.12/