An unusual African knife was a big surprise at auction

TVV · 9th February 2024, 06:37 PM

Geoffrey has done a great job explaining the potential interest in these short swords based on their rarity. Still, my guess is that the top bidders were after the material in the hilt.

Nutellakinesis · 10th February 2024, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

Geoffrey has done a great job explaining the potential interest in these short swords based on their rarity. Still, my guess is that the top bidders were after the material in the hilt.

That’s such a shame if true. I don’t know how someone can take a weapon that someone made and just take it apart for scraps

Ian · 10th February 2024, 03:27 AM

Geoffrey, thank you for those helpful comments. I have sent you the auction information via PM.

Geoffrey and TVV, what do you think the hilt material is? It has a strong "grain" to it, unlike rhino horn I have seen before. Even if it's wood, it is an attractive material.

Werecow, thanks for raising the Tebu. I had encountered somewhat similar swords from that group in my research. I thought several swords of the Ingessana of Sudan were perhaps a little closer to the original post.

This has been a very helpful and informative series of responses. Thanks to all who have posted so far. Further ideas are much appreciated.

TVV · 10th February 2024, 05:32 AM

The hilt is rhino horn. As far as taking artefacts apart in order to recycle some of the materials used in them, it is something that has occurred throughout human history, and is not unique to weapons. As collectors, we assign a special value to complete objects, and believe in historical preservation, but for someone who needs to make a living, the melt value of precious metals or the value per gram of an organic object used in traditional medicine is all that matters. We can't know for sure who won the auction and what this person will do with the sword, but it is up to us as collectors to acquire and preserve these items, not up to others to share the same values as ours.

Martin Lubojacky · 10th February 2024, 04:57 PM

And that's why I firmly believe that this dagger was acquired by a collector....

Sajen · 11th February 2024, 02:53 PM

Afew more examples!

https://african-weapons.com/gallery?darfur-dagger
https://african-weapons.com/gallery?...r-dagger-46-cm
https://african-weapons.com/gallery?...dagger-43-5-cm
https://african-weapons.com/gallery?...sheath-43-5-cm

9th February 2024, 06:37 PM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,601	Geoffrey has done a great job explaining the potential interest in these short swords based on their rarity. Still, my guess is that the top bidders were after the material in the hilt.

10th February 2024, 03:27 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,042	Geoffrey, thank you for those helpful comments. I have sent you the auction information via PM. Geoffrey and TVV, what do you think the hilt material is? It has a strong "grain" to it, unlike rhino horn I have seen before. Even if it's wood, it is an attractive material. Werecow, thanks for raising the Tebu. I had encountered somewhat similar swords from that group in my research. I thought several swords of the Ingessana of Sudan were perhaps a little closer to the original post. This has been a very helpful and informative series of responses. Thanks to all who have posted so far. Further ideas are much appreciated.

10th February 2024, 05:32 AM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,601	The hilt is rhino horn. As far as taking artefacts apart in order to recycle some of the materials used in them, it is something that has occurred throughout human history, and is not unique to weapons. As collectors, we assign a special value to complete objects, and believe in historical preservation, but for someone who needs to make a living, the melt value of precious metals or the value per gram of an organic object used in traditional medicine is all that matters. We can't know for sure who won the auction and what this person will do with the sword, but it is up to us as collectors to acquire and preserve these items, not up to others to share the same values as ours.

10th February 2024, 04:57 PM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	And that's why I firmly believe that this dagger was acquired by a collector....

11th February 2024, 02:53 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,563	Afew more examples! https://african-weapons.com/gallery?darfur-dagger https://african-weapons.com/gallery?...r-dagger-46-cm https://african-weapons.com/gallery?...dagger-43-5-cm https://african-weapons.com/gallery?...sheath-43-5-cm