Benin Knife

Martin Lubojacky · 9th January 2009, 10:55 PM

Hello,

Just a remark to the Freddy´s statement.

This is probably Vere or very simmilar to Vere (as far as comparision with pictures - also in Zirngibl books or on internet - is concerned). I do not have tribal map for disposal, but based on what I have seen before this style of work should be comming from the Mandara Mountains region (as already said -North Nigerian - Cameroonian borderland), probably willages between Rhumsiki and Guili. The patina seems really to be artificial, but, on the other side, this kind of daggers was often produced for ceremonial and symbolic uses with corresponding quality of blade.

My opinion is genuin ("tribaly used") Vere knives are extremely very rare, it is too much difficult to obtain them.

Regards,

Martin

Martin Lubojacky · 9th January 2009, 11:14 PM

Sorry - one more remark to the quality of the work. I could be mistaken, but my opinion after eight years spent in Africa is, that you will never find absolutely "clean details" on the brass (or any other copper alloys) African artefacts comming from 20 th century (to find this you should go deep to old Benin Kingdom times) - and artefacts from the very beginning of 20 th century are considered "old", here. Ornamentation on the sheath and handle is made well, whether it is fake or genuin dagger.

Martin

Rod Charters · 10th January 2009, 09:14 PM

This is very interesting and thanks. I do however remain a bit confused. To buy or not to buy. I suppose this will really depend on the price and what risk I am prepared to make as I have had no experience W African knives. Thanks

Tim Simmons · 10th January 2009, 09:44 PM

Rod, it is an attractive souvenir and a nice reminder of your trip. The sellers have the wrong idea as to its origin which is telling. In my opinion it is not rare or old. Is it real cultural piece? well I suppose it could be. All I can say is that the figures on the handle do not appeal to me one bit, same with the blade. I do not like the patina either.

Looking again I am sure the top part of the handle, the figures, are from a mould so to make lots of them. Look and you can see the flashing round the edges and the supposed hand coiled wax is all smudged and very poor so I will say buy something else. There must be real crafts people around perhaps a nice piece of pottery?

Rod Charters · 12th January 2009, 07:37 AM

Thanks Tim appreciate the detailed feedback. Actually I live on and off in Kenya so not really interested in other souvenirs. The dealer is well known to me, is acting as a middle man for someone else who bought the item some 20 years ago, and also had no real idea of the authenticity nor origins of the item. Whilst I am an avid collector of knives and building a sizable collection I am no expert and rely heavily on advice so have very much appreciated the feedback. Regards Rod.

9th January 2009, 10:55 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hello, Just a remark to the Freddy´s statement. This is probably Vere or very simmilar to Vere (as far as comparision with pictures - also in Zirngibl books or on internet - is concerned). I do not have tribal map for disposal, but based on what I have seen before this style of work should be comming from the Mandara Mountains region (as already said -North Nigerian - Cameroonian borderland), probably willages between Rhumsiki and Guili. The patina seems really to be artificial, but, on the other side, this kind of daggers was often produced for ceremonial and symbolic uses with corresponding quality of blade. My opinion is genuin ("tribaly used") Vere knives are extremely very rare, it is too much difficult to obtain them. Regards, Martin

9th January 2009, 11:14 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Sorry - one more remark to the quality of the work. I could be mistaken, but my opinion after eight years spent in Africa is, that you will never find absolutely "clean details" on the brass (or any other copper alloys) African artefacts comming from 20 th century (to find this you should go deep to old Benin Kingdom times) - and artefacts from the very beginning of 20 th century are considered "old", here. Ornamentation on the sheath and handle is made well, whether it is fake or genuin dagger. Martin

10th January 2009, 09:14 PM	#3
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	This is very interesting and thanks. I do however remain a bit confused. To buy or not to buy. I suppose this will really depend on the price and what risk I am prepared to make as I have had no experience W African knives. Thanks

10th January 2009, 09:44 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Rod, it is an attractive souvenir and a nice reminder of your trip. The sellers have the wrong idea as to its origin which is telling. In my opinion it is not rare or old. Is it real cultural piece? well I suppose it could be. All I can say is that the figures on the handle do not appeal to me one bit, same with the blade. I do not like the patina either. Looking again I am sure the top part of the handle, the figures, are from a mould so to make lots of them. Look and you can see the flashing round the edges and the supposed hand coiled wax is all smudged and very poor so I will say buy something else. There must be real crafts people around perhaps a nice piece of pottery?

12th January 2009, 07:37 AM	#5
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Thanks Tim appreciate the detailed feedback. Actually I live on and off in Kenya so not really interested in other souvenirs. The dealer is well known to me, is acting as a middle man for someone else who bought the item some 20 years ago, and also had no real idea of the authenticity nor origins of the item. Whilst I am an avid collector of knives and building a sizable collection I am no expert and rely heavily on advice so have very much appreciated the feedback. Regards Rod.