TRUMBASH KNIFE WITH IVORY HILT, MANGBETU ?

Mauro · 8th November 2011, 10:06 PM

In my opinion it is Mangbetu but made for tourists. I do not know if it was made around 1920-1930. It could be also much later in age. The ivory handle is not well balanced with the rest of the blade and the handle itself seems not worn at all. I would say it is made of two pieces rapidly put together. This fit well with a piece made for tourists. The blade has not the classical Mangbetu hexagonal or polygonal spines typical of the tribe. Also the spines have been realized very rapidly and without much care. However the blade is burnished a fcat that is not so common. I do not see characteristic of neighbouring tribes

8th November 2011, 10:06 PM	#5
Mauro Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 83	In my opinion it is Mangbetu but made for tourists. I do not know if it was made around 1920-1930. It could be also much later in age. The ivory handle is not well balanced with the rest of the blade and the handle itself seems not worn at all. I would say it is made of two pieces rapidly put together. This fit well with a piece made for tourists. The blade has not the classical Mangbetu hexagonal or polygonal spines typical of the tribe. Also the spines have been realized very rapidly and without much care. However the blade is burnished a fcat that is not so common. I do not see characteristic of neighbouring tribes