![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 462
|
![]()
it is a very rare African knife .. can be the one pictured on the tribal book arms monographs .. it would be the only or second knife known to date..
is lia. mpama. sengele. ntomba. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,777
|
![]()
I had one with plain wood handle and with a smaller pointy blade. I would say it is a uncommon variant of a common weapon form.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 462
|
![]() Quote:
Look at tribal arms monographs as an attachment, it's really a very rare weapon! |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,730
|
![]() Quote:
Regards, Detlef |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,167
|
![]()
My azande mambeli, (Bought from thinredline) top, others posted here in the forum below...
These sickle swords are common in small to large versions... Yours appears to be a nicely made variant... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 462
|
![]()
it is certainly a variant!
but this is the only or second model known to date |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,895
|
![]()
While I cannot comment on the rarity of this example of the weapons termed 'throwing knives' in Central to East African regions, it is a very attractive one. It seems that while there are certain features in the shapes and blade configurations in many, it would be hard to assess rarity as there seems a range of variation in the many basic forms so it would be hard to say how many examples might exist that are alike or similar.
It seems to me to have some features in character with Azande to Mangbetu forms along with the use of copper and the curious hole in the blade (the Mangbetu trombash usually has two or three holes, in attached image). These are I believe filled with copper plugs and these are indicative of a persons status or prowess as a warrior from what I have read on the Mangbetu. The 'Tribal Arms' monographs really are excellent resources on these esoteric weapons, and I wish I had my copies at hand. As I recall though, most of these 'knives' post 1920s are primarily ceremonial as status symbols, and as processional weapons. Though just adding these thoughts to possible identifications, it seemed worthy of note to mention the hole as related to those in the trombash forms of adjacent tribes such as the Mangbetu. Last edited by Jim McDougall; 3rd July 2018 at 06:23 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: France
Posts: 472
|
![]()
2 Sengele knives with the same kind of handle.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|