A Bamum Kings Ceremonial Knife...comments please

katana · 8th July 2006, 01:21 PM

A new acqusition, but, not yet received a Bamum ceremonial knife....sold to me as a Kings knife.
I understand that the twin serpents are typical Bamum motifs...and the handle has the carved snake heads as part of the carved hilt. The carved heads at the top appear to be female. I do not know the significance, if any, to Bamum mythology or religion. Perhaps someone would enlighten me....
I have searched for similarly hilted Bamum knives and have not found any that are similar......all that I have found seem to have 'standardised' hilts which has two elongated crescents either side of the handle. see first picture of this type of hilt (knife in scabbard).

Comments, suggestions and information, gratefully received ,thankyou

Justin · 8th July 2006, 06:28 PM

Nice piece,congrats!

I have a similar one ID'ed here as being from the Tikar,heres a pic:

katana · 8th July 2006, 06:52 PM

Hi Justin,
a very nice knife you have there, the blade seems to have 'a congo look'.....very interesting

Tim Simmons · 8th July 2006, 08:08 PM

A nice piece, I love the handle. I recently came across some very detailed information about the twin serpent and people motif seen in the tropical west African seaboard. When I find it again I shall post it. Fernando has a fine example of a knife showing the primordial couple, I cannot remember the stuff about the snakes. Perhaps if we all smile nicely for him he might be persuaded to post it here. I will sart, hi Fernando

Lew · 8th July 2006, 11:58 PM

Very nice old knife! Congrats.

Lew

katana · 25th July 2006, 10:48 PM

Finally arrived....and did not disappoint.
Forged blade, whole knife feels nice, 'solid' and 'substantial'. Handle is nicely carved ....definately looks to have some age...some of the leather panels covering the wood based scabbard have shrunk due to age. Posted a few pictures of the carving, still have not found similarly designed handles....has anyone seen any other examples?

8th July 2006, 01:21 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	A Bamum Kings Ceremonial Knife...comments please A new acqusition, but, not yet received a Bamum ceremonial knife....sold to me as a Kings knife. I understand that the twin serpents are typical Bamum motifs...and the handle has the carved snake heads as part of the carved hilt. The carved heads at the top appear to be female. I do not know the significance, if any, to Bamum mythology or religion. Perhaps someone would enlighten me.... I have searched for similarly hilted Bamum knives and have not found any that are similar......all that I have found seem to have 'standardised' hilts which has two elongated crescents either side of the handle. see first picture of this type of hilt (knife in scabbard). Comments, suggestions and information, gratefully received ,thankyou Attached Images

8th July 2006, 06:28 PM	#2
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Nice piece,congrats! I have a similar one ID'ed here as being from the Tikar,heres a pic: Attached Images

25th July 2006, 10:48 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Finally arrived....and did not disappoint. Forged blade, whole knife feels nice, 'solid' and 'substantial'. Handle is nicely carved ....definately looks to have some age...some of the leather panels covering the wood based scabbard have shrunk due to age. Posted a few pictures of the carving, still have not found similarly designed handles....has anyone seen any other examples? Attached Images

8th July 2006, 06:52 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Justin, a very nice knife you have there, the blade seems to have 'a congo look'.....very interesting

8th July 2006, 08:08 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	A nice piece, I love the handle. I recently came across some very detailed information about the twin serpent and people motif seen in the tropical west African seaboard. When I find it again I shall post it. Fernando has a fine example of a knife showing the primordial couple, I cannot remember the stuff about the snakes. Perhaps if we all smile nicely for him he might be persuaded to post it here. I will sart, hi Fernando

8th July 2006, 11:58 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Very nice old knife! Congrats. Lew