African throwing knife ?

Lew · 18th October 2006, 07:40 PM

This just ended.

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

Lew

Tim Simmons · 18th October 2006, 07:44 PM

I rather fancy you did well.

Flavio · 18th October 2006, 07:51 PM

Very nice!! Congratulations!!

It's a good period for you, Lew

!!!

Freddy · 18th October 2006, 09:16 PM

Very nice piece............You sniped me, Lew !

Oh well, next time I'll have some more luck

Freddy

katana · 18th October 2006, 10:56 PM

Good price...nice piece Lew,
interestingly a 'Discovery' programme about the British Museum, had a section regarding African throwing knives. The type you have have recently acquired is now considered unlikely a throwing Knife. One of the museum's researchers was investigating the throwing knife phenomena and had been talking to Tribesmen (cant remember the Tribe) whom carrying this style of knife (over the shoulder) He wanted to see the technique (of throwing) and the 'flight' of the knife. They(the tribal members) were amazed and confused as to why anyone would want to throw something so valueable. He likened it to him throwing his camcorder to see if it was aerodynamic.............so there is the probability that newer litrature will 'de-classify' this type of knife from being a 'throwing' knife........

If the programme is repeated I will try and discover the Tribe/tribes name/names....

Congoblades · 19th October 2006, 01:26 PM

Very elegant form... I have always thought that this was a currency weapon only, PAKUDO ? from Dem. Rep. Congo

Tim Simmons · 19th October 2006, 03:21 PM

I believe this form is found other a vast band of sub Saharan/equatorial Africa. This version is from North East Nigeria/North Cameroon.

katana · 19th October 2006, 04:16 PM

Hi Tim, Bill,
I was wondering whether there are any theories as to the form of this type of knife. Tim's example has the 'stylised' look of Arabic script ...below is Allah in script form.....notice the curves and form

Tim Simmons · 19th October 2006, 06:34 PM

I am unaware of any Islamic influence to the origin of these artifacts. Some of the people that they are attributed to are subject to modern Islamic dominance, not all I might add. The origins are Animistic, pre-Islamic and are said to represent animal forms such as snake and scorpion. The Islamic influence on the west African Animists is less forceful and more diffuse it appears.

katana · 19th October 2006, 06:40 PM

Thanks Tim......it was just a thought...

Luc LEFEBVRE · 22nd October 2006, 11:42 AM

Nice Matakam TK Lew
Luc

18th October 2006, 07:40 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	African throwing knife ? This just ended. http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-AFRICAN-...QQcmdZViewItem Lew

18th October 2006, 07:44 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Bargain I rather fancy you did well. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 18th October 2006 at 07:55 PM.

19th October 2006, 04:16 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Tim, Bill, I was wondering whether there are any theories as to the form of this type of knife. Tim's example has the 'stylised' look of Arabic script ...below is Allah in script form.....notice the curves and form Attached Images

22nd October 2006, 11:42 AM	#11
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Nice Matakam TK Lew Luc Attached Images

18th October 2006, 07:51 PM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Very nice!! Congratulations!! It's a good period for you, Lew !!!

18th October 2006, 09:16 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Very nice piece............You sniped me, Lew ! Oh well, next time I'll have some more luck Freddy

18th October 2006, 10:56 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Good price...nice piece Lew, interestingly a 'Discovery' programme about the British Museum, had a section regarding African throwing knives. The type you have have recently acquired is now considered unlikely a throwing Knife. One of the museum's researchers was investigating the throwing knife phenomena and had been talking to Tribesmen (cant remember the Tribe) whom carrying this style of knife (over the shoulder) He wanted to see the technique (of throwing) and the 'flight' of the knife. They(the tribal members) were amazed and confused as to why anyone would want to throw something so valueable. He likened it to him throwing his camcorder to see if it was aerodynamic.............so there is the probability that newer litrature will 'de-classify' this type of knife from being a 'throwing' knife........ If the programme is repeated I will try and discover the Tribe/tribes name/names....

19th October 2006, 01:26 PM	#6
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Very elegant form... I have always thought that this was a currency weapon only, PAKUDO ? from Dem. Rep. Congo

19th October 2006, 03:21 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I believe this form is found other a vast band of sub Saharan/equatorial Africa. This version is from North East Nigeria/North Cameroon.

19th October 2006, 06:34 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I am unaware of any Islamic influence to the origin of these artifacts. Some of the people that they are attributed to are subject to modern Islamic dominance, not all I might add. The origins are Animistic, pre-Islamic and are said to represent animal forms such as snake and scorpion. The Islamic influence on the west African Animists is less forceful and more diffuse it appears.

19th October 2006, 06:40 PM	#10
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thanks Tim......it was just a thought...