Two knives

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Description

metal, wood, a) pointed blade with elaborate incised ornaments on either side, wooden handle wrapped in metal wire, provided with heavy knob, min. dam., slight signs of usage and corrosion, base, l: 39,5 cm; b) similar design, handle enveloped in brass sheet, slight traces of corrosion and usage, base, l: 48 cm;
such knives usually have heavy steel butts, some weigh up to 2,5 kg. There are several theories about the usage: as currency, as drop-knives which were dropped butt first from trees on the enemy passing beneath, to increase the impact force or as decorative element.

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Comparing literature

Zirngibl, Manfred A. & Werner Fischer, Afrikanische Waffen, Passau 1978, p. 121, ill. 212

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Publications

b) Westerdijk, P., African metal implements, weapons, tools and regalia, New York 1984, p. 35, ill. 149

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