Unusual Nigerian knife

Ian · 4th February 2024, 12:32 AM

Found at a recently concluded auction. This is said to be a traditional Yoruba ceremonial knife in bronze from Nigeria. Both the knife and sheath are made of the same metal, probably bronze or a similar alloy. The workmanship is good in terms of the detail in casting and filigree work, and the Yoruba are said to have skills in crafting objects from bronze. This is a fairly large piece: OAL 21 inches.

If anyone knows more about these knives or has comments on its use, I would appreciate hearing from you. All discussion welcome.

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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, 12:32 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Unusual Nigerian knife Found at a recently concluded auction. This is said to be a traditional Yoruba ceremonial knife in bronze from Nigeria. Both the knife and sheath are made of the same metal, probably bronze or a similar alloy. The workmanship is good in terms of the detail in casting and filigree work, and the Yoruba are said to have skills in crafting objects from bronze. This is a fairly large piece: OAL 21 inches. If anyone knows more about these knives or has comments on its use, I would appreciate hearing from you. All discussion welcome. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 4th February 2024 at 02:27 AM. Reason: Spelling

4th February 2024, 04:26 AM	#4
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	#2
Araña_del_Sol Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 46	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	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	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	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	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