AFRICAN WEAPONS AND WEAPON FORMS

Those objects that have been vetted as authentic by outside experts (Christophe Rolley, Edith Mbella, Daniel Mato, Rand Ningali, Phil Warish and Ethan Rider) are labelled as such. Objects made for the market are labelled accordingly, and objects in our archives or on pages no longer on our website should be assumed to be inauthentic if not otherwise labelled.

KUBA
"Ikula"
Knives
 

 

NGOMBE
Prestige
Swords

KUBA
Mongo
Knives
 

POTO
Knives

 VARIOUS
Knives

MANGBETU
Knives

MAFA(MATAKAM)
Sengese
Knives


AKAN
Afena
Swords

LOBALA
Prestige
Swords


NKUTSU
Speartips
Catalog

VARIOUS
Throwing Knives

BENIN
Objects
 

VARIOUS
Throwing Knives


 

KUBA
Spears
SOLD

BAMANA
Lance 4
SOLD

TARUMBA
"Spear" Currency
SOLD

AFRICAN
HELMETS
Catalog

AFRICAN
WARRIOR
Exhibition

AFRICAN
WARRIORS
Exhibition
 

AFRICAN
WARRIORS
Exhibition

AFRICAN
SHIELDS
Catalog

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

AFRICAN WEAPONS AND WEAPON FORMS

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.

If you are looking for a particular tribe or object pleases check our alphabetical list of images and catalogs.

WEAPONS, with CATALOGS

AKAN, SWORDS, Ghana
BENIN, SWORDS,
Nigeria
FANG, KNIFE CURRENCY Gabon
KNIVES, Various Peoples
KUBA, AXES, DRC    ARCHIVES ONLY
KUBA, KNIVES, Dem. Rep. Congo
KUBA, KNIVES (IKULU) 3, Dem. Rep. Congo
KUBA, MONGO KNIVES, DRC
KUBA SPEARS, Dem. Rep. Congo    ARCHIVES ONLY
NGOMBE, THROWING KNIVES, DRC
NGOMBE, PRESTIGE SWORDS, DRC
NKUTSU, SPEARTIP CURRENCIES, Nigeria
NKUTSU, KNIVES, Nigeria
LOBALA, PRESTIGE SWORDS, DRC
LOBI, AXES,  Burkina Faso    ARCHIVES ONLY
MAFA, THROWING KNIVES, Nigeria/Cameroon
MANGBETU, "TROMBASH" KNIFE CURRENCY, Dem. Rep. Congo
POTO, KNIFE CURRENCY, Dem. Rep. Congo,
SPEARS, Various Peoples    ARCHIVES ONLY
YORUBA, KNIVES, Nigeria    ARCHIVES ONLY
ZANDE,
THROWING KNIVES,
DRC
ZOROMO, AX, Tanzania    ARCHIVES ONLY

GO TO AFRICAN SHIELDS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN WARRIOR EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN METALWORK PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN METALWORKS EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN METALWORKS 2 EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN ARTIFACTS PAGE

 

HOMEPAGE

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TRIBE

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OBJECT

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MJM02272017