High status beja Kaskara

[Edster]

Hello Jack,

Nice addition to your kaskara collection. The blade & crossguard are nicely mated and likely late 19th C. Have you looked under the langets for a European maker's mark?

The silver on the grip looks over cleaned and is likely a much later addition. Usually a silvered grip has silver on the pommel as well with yours lacks. I've never seen a stone as a finial. Also, the tassel looks tatty, just wrapped cord and not braided as a traditional Beja one.

The gold on the sheath's chap are new to me, seem to be a later addition and not in the design of the chap. Also, there is a small strip on the sheath below the silver top piece that looks like the original piece was replaced.

The symbol on the chap looks like a stylized Arabic number 6. No doubt had an earlier meaning.

The sheath's suspension rings are a high class detail and not usually encountered.

Best,
Ed