Sudanese sword with ivory hilt

Bill M · 20th October 2007, 02:35 AM

Prestige piece?

Could this be from Hadendoa /Beja tribes? I have seen a few like this with bone or wood/reptile skin, but this one is ivory. Chiseled decorations on both sides of blade.

28" overall length.

RobT · 20th October 2007, 04:22 AM

Hi Bill,
From the decoration on the blade I'd say Tuareg.
Sincerely,
RobT

CharlesS · 20th October 2007, 02:51 PM

I agree with RobT. This is from the western Sudan or Sahara, not the eastern Sudan.

Lew · 20th October 2007, 03:24 PM

Yes I agree with Charles on this one. I had one of these in my collection a while back but just can't remember what I did with it

. Bill that is a rare beauty you have there.

Congrats

Lew

Jim McDougall · 23rd October 2007, 05:09 AM

Nilotic, probably from Dongolan regions. The ivory hilt carries the circled dot motif which is also often seen on these. The hilt motif on many of these seems to carry various influences, and the 'cross of agadez' does indeed suggest Tuareg influence, usually carried eastward by the Hausa. This example seems possibly early 20th century.

CharlesS · 24th October 2007, 04:24 PM

Lew,

I DO remember what you did with that dagger..................

Jim McDougall · 24th October 2007, 05:53 PM

While I have suggested this piece is probably from Dongola, I cannot recall what particular tribes were situated there. I know that The Mahdi was originally from this region on the Nile, but cannot recall which tribe he was from.
Also, the style of these hilts is interesting and suggests influence from other African regions..perhaps to the south. Any ideas?

Jim McDougall · 10th November 2007, 08:45 PM

I just thought of this piece with Bills recent post of the Taureg symbols, the engraved cross of Agadez on the blade seems remarkably associated.

20th October 2007, 02:35 AM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Sudanese sword with ivory hilt Prestige piece? Could this be from Hadendoa /Beja tribes? I have seen a few like this with bone or wood/reptile skin, but this one is ivory. Chiseled decorations on both sides of blade. 28" overall length. Attached Images

20th October 2007, 04:22 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 486	Tuareg Hi Bill, From the decoration on the blade I'd say Tuareg. Sincerely, RobT

20th October 2007, 03:24 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Yes I agree with Charles on this one. I had one of these in my collection a while back but just can't remember what I did with it . Bill that is a rare beauty you have there. Congrats Lew Attached Images

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20th October 2007, 02:51 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	I agree with RobT. This is from the western Sudan or Sahara, not the eastern Sudan.

23rd October 2007, 05:09 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,938	Nilotic, probably from Dongolan regions. The ivory hilt carries the circled dot motif which is also often seen on these. The hilt motif on many of these seems to carry various influences, and the 'cross of agadez' does indeed suggest Tuareg influence, usually carried eastward by the Hausa. This example seems possibly early 20th century.

24th October 2007, 04:24 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Lew, I DO remember what you did with that dagger..................

24th October 2007, 05:53 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,938	While I have suggested this piece is probably from Dongola, I cannot recall what particular tribes were situated there. I know that The Mahdi was originally from this region on the Nile, but cannot recall which tribe he was from. Also, the style of these hilts is interesting and suggests influence from other African regions..perhaps to the south. Any ideas?

10th November 2007, 08:45 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,938	I just thought of this piece with Bills recent post of the Taureg symbols, the engraved cross of Agadez on the blade seems remarkably associated.