Interesting African Arm Dagger

[drac2k]

I just acquired this small arm dagger that has me puzzled as to where it comes from. I think it could be Sudanese, however, the stone on the pommel is throwing me off a little bit; I would of thought that this was a modern addition if the filigree work wasn't as nice as it is.

[Bob A]

I like nearly everything about this dagger very much. Actually, the filigree/stone on the pommel is the only part that jars my appreciation - and forgive me for imposing my own aesthetic standards on a different culture. The filigree work puts me in mind of Yemen, leading me to assume an origin toward the eastern coast of Africa. However, it's merely my unsupported opinion.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by drac2k

I just acquired this small arm dagger that has me puzzled as to where it comes from. I think it could be Sudanese, however, the stone on the pommel is throwing me off a little bit; I would of thought that this was a modern addition if the filigree work wasn't as nice as it is.

No mystery for this one, a good Sudanese dagger.
Here is mine...

[drac2k]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your insights; I really like your dagger especially the
the unusual shape of the blade.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Bob A

I like nearly everything about this dagger very much. Actually, the filigree/stone on the pommel is the only part that jars my appreciation - and forgive me for imposing my own aesthetic standards on a different culture. The filigree work puts me in mind of Yemen, leading me to assume an origin toward the eastern coast of Africa. However, it's merely my unsupported opinion.

Nice Sudanese arm dagger. I agree with Bob regarding the filigree work. It certainly looks very "Yemeni" which could well be the case as the Red Sea is between the two countries. The possibility of a piece of Yemeni filigree crossing the sea and being reused here would not IMHO be impossible.
Stu

[drac2k]

Thanks, it makes sense.

[Kubur]

Stu is right, Beja used these daggers too and they were close to the Red Sea, so Yemen is an option.

Now Africans know and do filigree and they are excellent in Chad, it's the reason why I think your dagger is from Darfur.

For my blade, in fact you have 2 kind of blades for these daggers:
the one that you posted and the one that I posted.
Some forum members are experts and they will be better than me to explain.
Here some examples from the end of the 19th c.

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Stu is right, Beja used these daggers too and they were close to the Red Sea, so Yemen is an option.

Now Africans know and do filigree and they are excellent in Chad, it's the reason why I think your dagger is from Darfur.

For my blade, in fact you have 2 kind of blades for these daggers:
the one that you posted and the one that I posted.
Some forum members are experts and they will be better than me to explain.
Here some examples from the end of the 19th c.

or even more blade shapes !

[thinreadline]

Three of my nicer Sudanese arm daggers ...

[drac2k]

Very nice indeed!