Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1118 - Decorated Blade from an East African Beja Hadendoa 'Hooked Blade' Dagger

This unusual dismounted double edged 'hooked' blade is likely from an 'X-hilted' dagger of the Beja Hadendoa or Beni-Amir peoples of Eritrea and the Sudan who live along the southwestern shores of the Red Sea. The blade, from the shoulder to the tip along the initial axis of the blade measures 7 inches (18 cm) while, in the same axis, overall length is 9 inches (23 cm). Lew likely added this dismounted blade to his collection owing to the extensive and fine decoration stamped into the blade that exceeded that on his several others from this culture. The blade has an overall dark patina that has been brightened with abrasives but not so severely that dark areas, mild pitting and striations from honing are diminished. The blade weighs 2 2/3 ounces (76 grams).


Decorated Blade from an East African Beja Hadendoa 'Hooked Blade' Dagger

Decorated Blade from an East African Beja Hadendoa 'Hooked Blade' Dagger



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