What is it !!!? Ideas, comments please

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 3rd June 2013, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony PP

Hello,
Just seen this in a village auction. I thought it looked interesting but have little knowledge of edged weapons. Any ideas on what it is and from where would be welcome.

Salaams Tony PP ~ Why has the decorated brass arm band got uniformally made holes in it and is this the traditional style of arm band or is this a band taken from another item like a coffee pot ?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Tim Simmons · 3rd June 2013, 05:09 PM

No they are not made from coffee pots. Just like other decoration on weapons the motifs come from a regional cultural pool. Here is one with no holes. The strange thing is that although most of these; although common are superbly made with a blade you could almost bend back to the handle and let go like a spring and carrying great artist merit, are not appreciated in the "market" . Where as just as common items with considerably less skill and artistic mastery command silly high prices. All this contradiction in values is starting to ruin my enjoyment of collecting.[

Iain · 3rd June 2013, 05:12 PM

What Tim said, not made from repurposed items. Bida in Nigeria had and has a long tradition of brass working, and was famed throughout the Sahel for their products.

RhysMichael · 3rd June 2013, 05:29 PM

Decorative motifs are something I wish we discussed even more here. I learn from it every time it is discussed. And often times it gives a great insight into what ethnic group an item actually comes from.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 4th June 2013, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

No they are not made from coffee pots. Just like other decoration on weapons the motifs come from a regional cultural pool. Here is one with no holes. The strange thing is that although most of these; although common are superbly made with a blade you could almost bend back to the handle and let go like a spring and carrying great artist merit, are not appreciated in the "market" . Where as just as common items with considerably less skill and artistic mastery command silly high prices. All this contradiction in values is starting to ruin my enjoyment of collecting.[

Salaams Tim Simmons ~ Thank you for posting those superb examples and apologies for not knowing the details ...

We live and learn !! I immediately dived into my little library and have come up with a number of African designs which I will shoot and post... Some of them are talismanic and others tell different stories..Shukran !!

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

3rd June 2013, 05:09 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	No they are not made from coffee pots. Just like other decoration on weapons the motifs come from a regional cultural pool. Here is one with no holes. The strange thing is that although most of these; although common are superbly made with a blade you could almost bend back to the handle and let go like a spring and carrying great artist merit, are not appreciated in the "market" . Where as just as common items with considerably less skill and artistic mastery command silly high prices. All this contradiction in values is starting to ruin my enjoyment of collecting.[ Attached Images

3rd June 2013, 05:12 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	What Tim said, not made from repurposed items. Bida in Nigeria had and has a long tradition of brass working, and was famed throughout the Sahel for their products.

3rd June 2013, 05:29 PM	#4
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	Decorative motifs are something I wish we discussed even more here. I learn from it every time it is discussed. And often times it gives a great insight into what ethnic group an item actually comes from.