Huge Beja Dagger with Silver Filigree

G. Mansfield · 7th January 2020, 06:41 PM

Battera, certainly the best example of these type daggers that I have seen. The work is most certainly influenced by Yemeni silver work and similar to Abyssinian pieces. As others have noted, the hilt looks to be a hardwood of a reddish color rather than the typical African blackwood and the formation of the hilt is atypical differentiated from the x-hit types often seen from the Sudan such as Kassala. With that being said, I opinion this piece to be early 20th Abyssinian region as my best guess. Attached are two x-hilt reverse hook daggers from my collection with some silver wire and studs for comparison. Not too old, approximately mid-20th century, the largest at 14.5 inches. Also, an Ethiopian gile (not mine) with similar silver work for brainstorming.

Best,
-Geoff

Battara · 10th January 2020, 07:32 AM

Very nice thank you.

I LOVE that gile. I had one once, but the one you posted is one I would keep (I'm a real sucker for good silver filigree work

).

7th January 2020, 06:41 PM	#1
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 91	Battera, certainly the best example of these type daggers that I have seen. The work is most certainly influenced by Yemeni silver work and similar to Abyssinian pieces. As others have noted, the hilt looks to be a hardwood of a reddish color rather than the typical African blackwood and the formation of the hilt is atypical differentiated from the x-hit types often seen from the Sudan such as Kassala. With that being said, I opinion this piece to be early 20th Abyssinian region as my best guess. Attached are two x-hilt reverse hook daggers from my collection with some silver wire and studs for comparison. Not too old, approximately mid-20th century, the largest at 14.5 inches. Also, an Ethiopian gile (not mine) with similar silver work for brainstorming. Best, -Geoff Attached Images

10th January 2020, 07:32 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Very nice thank you. I LOVE that gile. I had one once, but the one you posted is one I would keep (I'm a real sucker for good silver filigree work ).