AFRICAN KNIVES, SWORDS, AXES and SPEARS

AKAN Swords

KUBA Axes

TUAREG Blades

KUBA Knives 2

AFRICAN Axes Catalog

KUBA Knife Currency

KUBA Mongo Knives

MANGBETU Knife Currencies

KUBA "Ikula" Knives

KUBA Sword Currency

AFRICAN Axes Catalog

MATAKAM Sengese Knives

KUBA Mongo Knives

AKAN Afena Swords

AFRICAN Currencies 1

BENIN Objects

AFRICAN Currencies

FANG Currency

KUBA Knives

Yoruba, Knives Catalog

POTO Knife Currency

BANGALA Currency Catalog

MANGBETU Knife Currency

FANG Knife Currency

LOBI Iron Knife Bells

KUBA Sword Currency

TARUMBA "Spear" Currency

MUMUYE Currency Catalog

BAMANA Lance 4 27.5", $350

ASANTE, Knives Catalog

KUBA Spear tips Catalog

TARUMBA "Spear" Currency

 

Knives, axes, currency blades and spears, most made of forged iron, attest to the skills in metal of the blacksmiths of many traditional African peoples. Most exhibit an inventive variety of form and workmanship far beyond what was functionally necessary. Some functioned as weapons. Many , however, were solely for ceremonial or ritual use, or displayed for prestige or status. The largest selections also served as currency, with forms made in the style of weapons, but not functional.

All of these are as we obtained them. Many of the currencies, especially, are 19th C. and will exhibit some rust or erosion. Some collectors and dealers prefer the knives highly cleaned, even ground down to the raw metal, then polished. This can be done to any of our knives but it is not a reversible process and we do not do it.