Somali dagger and shield for comment

Lew · 19th November 2005, 05:36 AM

Hi All

These two auctions just ended. The billao seems different than your typical billao it has a longer narrower blade. The shield has a nice two tone look to it.
Tim this is your area of expertise so let me know what you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-AFRICAN-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT

Lew

roanoa · 19th November 2005, 07:16 AM

Very nice pieces. The Somali shield (gashan) is usually bleached, but sometimes is stained black. Never seen a two-toned one before. It's quite attractive. The billao is actually the short sword version. I believe it's called the same as the dagger, though it's sometimes referred to as a bilewa. Best clean blade I have seen in a long time. Great buys.

Tim Simmons · 19th November 2005, 08:54 AM

Well done on the shield

. I had my eye on it the first time round when it had a much higher starting bid price. Right place right time, shame the knife has lost its scabbard 9 out of 10

. There are ceremonial shields from Somalia that often have a decorative wool apron rather like macrame hanging from them, tassels that's the word I am looking for, and displayed at weddings and other occasions. Your new shield is very attractive indeed and I wonder if it was reserved for display, like high rank shields in Abyssinia up untill the late 1920s. Now I will go away and sulk on the sofa

. Tim

Lew · 2nd December 2005, 04:53 PM

Here are some pics of the dagger the shield was mailed separately will post pics of it when it arrives.

Lew

Lew · 2nd December 2005, 09:27 PM

The shield just showed up so I did some rearranging in my trophy room.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 2nd December 2005, 09:49 PM

Lew, you are too smart and organised, it disturbs me

. A very nice short sword and the shield is just terrific, you can use ebay to your advantage if you broaden your horizons. I have moved on and no longer sulking. Tim

19th November 2005, 05:36 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Somali dagger and shield for comment Hi All These two auctions just ended. The billao seems different than your typical billao it has a longer narrower blade. The shield has a nice two tone look to it. Tim this is your area of expertise so let me know what you think? http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-AFRICAN-...QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT Lew

19th November 2005, 08:54 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Well done on the shield . I had my eye on it the first time round when it had a much higher starting bid price. Right place right time, shame the knife has lost its scabbard 9 out of 10 . There are ceremonial shields from Somalia that often have a decorative wool apron rather like macrame hanging from them, tassels that's the word I am looking for, and displayed at weddings and other occasions. Your new shield is very attractive indeed and I wonder if it was reserved for display, like high rank shields in Abyssinia up untill the late 1920s. Now I will go away and sulk on the sofa . Tim Last edited by Tim Simmons; 19th November 2005 at 04:23 PM. Reason: Found the word I was looking for.

2nd December 2005, 04:53 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here are some pics of the dagger the shield was mailed separately will post pics of it when it arrives. Lew Attached Images

2nd December 2005, 09:27 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The shield just showed up so I did some rearranging in my trophy room. Lew Attached Images

19th November 2005, 07:16 AM	#2
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 234	Very nice pieces. The Somali shield (gashan) is usually bleached, but sometimes is stained black. Never seen a two-toned one before. It's quite attractive. The billao is actually the short sword version. I believe it's called the same as the dagger, though it's sometimes referred to as a bilewa. Best clean blade I have seen in a long time. Great buys.

2nd December 2005, 09:49 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Lew, you are too smart and organised, it disturbs me . A very nice short sword and the shield is just terrific, you can use ebay to your advantage if you broaden your horizons. I have moved on and no longer sulking. Tim