African Throwing Knife for ID and comment

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th March 2014, 10:53 PM

Jan Elsen in the book "De Fer et de Fierté" says that the copper dot seems to be a production of the north of the territory of the Ngbaka Mabo, maybe the southern Gbaya.
The production of this type of knife began around 1900 to 1960, after the 2WW the quality is lower.
The X on the blade is the symbol of the spider a totemic animal for the Ngbaka Mabo.
Some other exemples...

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th March 2014, 10:59 PM

The types of my collection

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th March 2014, 11:02 PM

This last one, and old type, before 1900, a great work of forging.

russel · 27th March 2014, 06:58 AM

Thanks Luc,

That is great information, and beautiful examples. I am especially intrigued by the totemic spider symbolism.

Thanks again, Russel

manteris1 · 27th March 2014, 07:32 PM

Very nice................................jimmy

Battara · 28th March 2014, 05:47 PM

I'm not into African, but this is a nice piece......I like it.

Great quality. Congratulations!

24th March 2014, 10:53 PM	#1
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Jan Elsen in the book "De Fer et de Fierté" says that the copper dot seems to be a production of the north of the territory of the Ngbaka Mabo, maybe the southern Gbaya. The production of this type of knife began around 1900 to 1960, after the 2WW the quality is lower. The X on the blade is the symbol of the spider a totemic animal for the Ngbaka Mabo. Some other exemples... Attached Images

24th March 2014, 10:59 PM	#2
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	The types of my collection Attached Images

24th March 2014, 11:02 PM	#3
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	This last one, and old type, before 1900, a great work of forging. Attached Images

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27th March 2014, 06:58 AM	#4
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 238	Thanks Luc, That is great information, and beautiful examples. I am especially intrigued by the totemic spider symbolism. Thanks again, Russel

27th March 2014, 07:32 PM	#5
manteris1 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 114	Very nice................................jimmy

28th March 2014, 05:47 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,366	I'm not into African, but this is a nice piece......I like it. Great quality. Congratulations!