Unusual Nigerian knife

Araña_del_Sol · 4th February 2024, 02:50 AM

Hi Ian,

This is a very nice dagger of the Vere or Bata people from eastern Nigeria and northern Cameroon. These daggers were purely ceremonial, the scabbard and hilt are entirely of cast brass. According to Chappel et al. (2021) the Vere word for dagger is "wek" and this variety with human heads and figures may have been called specifically "wek wan marus."

Here are other similar examples:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=Vere
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=Vere

source: Chappel et al. 2021. Surviving Works: context in Verre arts Part Two, Chapter Five: Towards a Verre catalogue raisonnée 5.4: Hoes and daggers

- ADS

Ian · 4th February 2024, 03:02 AM

Hi ADS,
Thanks for the information. I'm going to look more carefully at the Cameroon/Nigerian border examples here and elsewhere to better understand these items. I find African knives increasingly interesting.

Gavin Nugent · 4th February 2024, 04:26 AM

A lovely example Ian.

I only have one from the region, I don't see then that often. It's a fine looking example you have, very detailed. Is the blade bronze too?

Ian · 4th February 2024, 04:53 AM

Hi Gavin,
I think the blade is also bronze. This is indeed a nice example. Unfortunately, it's not mine. I was the under bidder. I hope someone here managed to acquire it. I like your example also -- a small blade for such as long hilt

4th February 2024, 04:26 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	A lovely example Ian. I only have one from the region, I don't see then that often. It's a fine looking example you have, very detailed. Is the blade bronze too? Attached Images

4th February 2024, 02:50 AM	#1
Araña_del_Sol Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 58	Hi Ian, This is a very nice dagger of the Vere or Bata people from eastern Nigeria and northern Cameroon. These daggers were purely ceremonial, the scabbard and hilt are entirely of cast brass. According to Chappel et al. (2021) the Vere word for dagger is "wek" and this variety with human heads and figures may have been called specifically "wek wan marus." Here are other similar examples: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=Vere http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=Vere source: Chappel et al. 2021. Surviving Works: context in Verre arts Part Two, Chapter Five: Towards a Verre catalogue raisonnée 5.4: Hoes and daggers - ADS

4th February 2024, 03:02 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,469	Hi ADS, Thanks for the information. I'm going to look more carefully at the Cameroon/Nigerian border examples here and elsewhere to better understand these items. I find African knives increasingly interesting.

4th February 2024, 04:53 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,469	Hi Gavin, I think the blade is also bronze. This is indeed a nice example. Unfortunately, it's not mine. I was the under bidder. I hope someone here managed to acquire it. I like your example also -- a small blade for such as long hilt