AFRICAN KNIVES, SWORDS and SPEARS

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 KUBA
Knife
Currency 

KUBA
"Ikula"
Knives
 

 

KUBA
Sword
Currency

  KUBA
Mongo
Knives
 

 

KUBA
Knives 2
Catalog
 

 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

PAKUDO
Knife
currency

MUMUYE
Currency
Catalog

BAMANA
Lance 4
27.5", $350

ASANTE,
Knives
Catalog



KUBA
Speartips
Catalog

TARUMBA
"Spear"
Currency

 

TARUMBA
"Spear"
Currency
 

Photographs © Tim Hamill

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 aand we do not do it.

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