Congo or not?

Miguel · 29th July 2016, 07:37 PM

Hello Everyone,

I would be grateful if someone could verify the origin of this Knife/Sword. I think it may be Ngombe from the Congo but I am not sure. It is a simple but pleasing design with incised patterns on both sides of the double edged blade. On half of one side on each side of the blade looks like a stylised snake or lizard beautifully done, in my opinion. The handle seems to be bone fixed very firmly to the blade shank.
O/L16.5 ins, Blade length 13.25 ins x 3 ins wide.
Thanking you in anticipation
Regards
Miguel

Rick · 29th July 2016, 07:43 PM

I've got a feeling that's not bone.

Ian · 29th July 2016, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I've got a feeling that's not bone.

I agree, Rick. Miguel, can you show us a picture of the end of the hilt to see what this material looks like in cross section? That would be very informative.

Ian.

Congoblades · 30th July 2016, 01:09 AM

Nice Lokele knife, Congo. Is there a hole in de back of the handle? Most of them have a weight on the handle.

Tim Simmons · 30th July 2016, 09:39 AM

Looks like ivory to me. Ni e piece.

Miguel · 30th July 2016, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Congoblades

Nice Lokele knife, Congo. Is there a hole in de back of the handle? Most of them have a weight on the handle.

Hello Congoblades, thanks for your reply, much appreciated, there is a hole in the end of the handle that the tang is bent over in. you will be able to see when I post the photo requested by Ian. Have you any thoughts on the handle material, significance of the lizard/snake decoration and possible age? I love these weapons of the Congo thir shapes and decoration fascinate me.
Regards
Miguel

Miguel · 30th July 2016, 07:38 PM

Hello Rick and Tim, thanks for your reply Ive always thought it to be bone, it will be interesting to see what the others make of it when the see a photo of the end.
Regards
Miguel

Congoblades · 30th July 2016, 08:07 PM

It is definitely an old one, how old exactly is hard to tell (some experts can

). To be safe I would say first quarter of the 20th century.
If the handle has the same age as the blade it would be ivory for sure.
About the decoration, I don't see a lizard or snake.

Miguel · 30th July 2016, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

I agree, Rick. Miguel, can you show us a picture of the end of the hilt to see what this material looks like in cross section? That would be very informative.

Ian.

Hello Ian, thanks for your reply interesting I thought it was bone. I have not got a photo showing the end but will take one and post it to see if you can make out what the material is, it may not be till Monday.
Regards
Miguel

Miguel · 2nd August 2016, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

Hello Ian, thanks for your reply interesting I thought it was bone. I have not got a photo showing the end but will take one and post it to see if you can make out what the material is, it may not be till Monday.
Regards
Miguel

Hi Ian, sorry for the delay but I could not remember which box I had stored it in and as I have, over the years, accumulated a large amount of weapons it as taken me much longer to find than I intended. Will have to number boxes and catalogue contents

Any way I have taken a few more photos and shown the end of the handle from which I hope you can tell whether or not it is bone or ivory. Incidently can you see a snake or lizard on the blade decoration.
Regards
Miguel

asomotif · 2nd August 2016, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I've got a feeling that's not bone.

Toothbone

asomotif · 2nd August 2016, 10:17 PM

Ps. nice weapon.

I would not clean or polish anything on this one.
Maybe rub the hilt firmly with a clean cotton cloth. Often this is enough to remove old dirt and or grease.

Best regards,
Willem

Miguel · 3rd August 2016, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Ps. nice weapon.

I would not clean or polish anything on this one.
Maybe rub the hilt firmly with a clean cotton cloth. Often this is enough to remove old dirt and or grease.

Best regards,
Willem

Hi Willem, my thoughts entirely.
Regards
Miguel

29th July 2016, 07:37 PM	#1
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Congo or not? Hello Everyone, I would be grateful if someone could verify the origin of this Knife/Sword. I think it may be Ngombe from the Congo but I am not sure. It is a simple but pleasing design with incised patterns on both sides of the double edged blade. On half of one side on each side of the blade looks like a stylised snake or lizard beautifully done, in my opinion. The handle seems to be bone fixed very firmly to the blade shank. O/L16.5 ins, Blade length 13.25 ins x 3 ins wide. Thanking you in anticipation Regards Miguel Attached Images

30th July 2016, 08:07 PM	#8
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	It is definitely an old one, how old exactly is hard to tell (some experts can ). To be safe I would say first quarter of the 20th century. If the handle has the same age as the blade it would be ivory for sure. About the decoration, I don't see a lizard or snake. Attached Images

29th July 2016, 07:43 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	I've got a feeling that's not bone.

30th July 2016, 01:09 AM	#4
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Nice Lokele knife, Congo. Is there a hole in de back of the handle? Most of them have a weight on the handle.

30th July 2016, 09:39 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Looks like ivory to me. Ni e piece.

30th July 2016, 07:38 PM	#7
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Hello Rick and Tim, thanks for your reply Ive always thought it to be bone, it will be interesting to see what the others make of it when the see a photo of the end. Regards Miguel

2nd August 2016, 10:17 PM	#12
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Ps. nice weapon. I would not clean or polish anything on this one. Maybe rub the hilt firmly with a clean cotton cloth. Often this is enough to remove old dirt and or grease. Best regards, Willem