Owambo knife

Bob A · 14th September 2017, 06:08 PM

Creating a surplus of a marketable object which is in general use in a given population does not render the object a "tourist" piece; it's merely a reasonable response to an income-producing opportunity. Development of a surplus is a healthy sign of a micro-economy, and the basis of civilisation.

The knife in question struck me immediately as a native African piece, and looks to have all the hallmarks of a true ethnographic tool.

The final determinant would be whether you've seen a similar knife in use by the local population; however, not having seen such use does not necessarily indicate that it is not in common use.

Nice knife, by the way.

CharlesS · 14th September 2017, 06:24 PM

While without a first-hand look it would be difficult to judge whether or not it is "touristy"...to me it seems to have some age regardless...I must tell you by Ovambo standards the knife is of average craftsmanship at best. Ovambo daggers are always rather simple but can be very elegant in design in both blade and scabbard. This one may well be a "working knife" and does not share the elegance the Ovambo are capable of in their blades.

Please, no offense intended, just an honest observation.

Please see these examples:

Pieje · 15th September 2017, 01:51 PM

Good authentic knife, not very old, perhaps 1930-1950

Johan van Zyl · 16th September 2017, 10:50 AM

Pieje, Charles & Bob, many thanks for your comments. Charles, no offense taken - we much prefer HO's, do we not?

Regards
Johan

Pieje · 19th September 2017, 01:16 AM

Charles is right that it isn't a good quality Ovambo knife. Seems to show some signs of use, but will probably be younger than I initially wrote. During the 50s and especially the 60s-70s quality strongly declined.

Bob A · 19th September 2017, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pieje

Charles is right that it isn't a good quality Ovambo knife. Seems to show some signs of use, but will probably be younger than I initially wrote. During the 50s and especially the 60s-70s quality strongly declined.

I see it as a tool; it's not fancy enough to be a tourist item, IMO.

It might not be pretty, but not everyone needs, or can afford, the top of the line. It may well be the sort of thing that is in regular use, but not seen as worth collecting. Even steel objects can be ephemeral. Preserving the artifacts of the common man is worthwhile, though not glamorous.

CharlesS · 19th September 2017, 06:26 PM

I certainly did not intend to imply in my post that the knife was not worth collecting. I don't think any of us gets to judge that. I was merely trying to illustrate a 'range' of Ovambo work.

14th September 2017, 06:24 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	While without a first-hand look it would be difficult to judge whether or not it is "touristy"...to me it seems to have some age regardless...I must tell you by Ovambo standards the knife is of average craftsmanship at best. Ovambo daggers are always rather simple but can be very elegant in design in both blade and scabbard. This one may well be a "working knife" and does not share the elegance the Ovambo are capable of in their blades. Please, no offense intended, just an honest observation. Please see these examples: Attached Images

14th September 2017, 06:08 PM	#1
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 446	Creating a surplus of a marketable object which is in general use in a given population does not render the object a "tourist" piece; it's merely a reasonable response to an income-producing opportunity. Development of a surplus is a healthy sign of a micro-economy, and the basis of civilisation. The knife in question struck me immediately as a native African piece, and looks to have all the hallmarks of a true ethnographic tool. The final determinant would be whether you've seen a similar knife in use by the local population; however, not having seen such use does not necessarily indicate that it is not in common use. Nice knife, by the way.

15th September 2017, 01:51 PM	#3
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Good authentic knife, not very old, perhaps 1930-1950

16th September 2017, 10:50 AM	#4
Johan van Zyl Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: I live in Gordon's Bay, a village in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. Posts: 126	Pieje, Charles & Bob, many thanks for your comments. Charles, no offense taken - we much prefer HO's, do we not? Regards Johan

19th September 2017, 01:16 AM	#5
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Charles is right that it isn't a good quality Ovambo knife. Seems to show some signs of use, but will probably be younger than I initially wrote. During the 50s and especially the 60s-70s quality strongly declined.

19th September 2017, 06:26 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I certainly did not intend to imply in my post that the knife was not worth collecting. I don't think any of us gets to judge that. I was merely trying to illustrate a 'range' of Ovambo work.