Mid 20th century. Iron, wood. Cm. 50,0 and cm. 46,0 high. Prestige staffs like these, dating from the colonial period, have sometimes been used in major barter transactions. See tribal Arms monographs Volume 2 “Performing Knives and derivatives” of Christian Gosseau, Brussels 1997 Figs 87-88. m21
Early 20th century. Iron, brass. Cm. 57,5 high (22.64″); weight: grams 1186,0 (41.83 oz.). The Azande (plural of "Zande") are an ethnic group of North Central Africa. The word Azande means "the people who possess much land", and refers to their history as conquering warriors. They live primarily in the...
End 19th century, early 20th century. Engraved buffalo or elephant skin. Diameter cm. 42,0 (16.46") ; Depth cm. 15,0 (5.91"). Former italian private collection (Grassi family, Sarzana, Toscana, Italy). The region Amhara is extends over the ancient provinces of Bégemder, Godjam and includes a part of the ancient province of Wollo. The...
Early to mid 20th century. Buffalo hide, pigment, goat sinew, wood handle and frame. Cm. 88,0 high x cm 47,5 width (34.65" x 18,70"). Excellent general conditions. The Masai were known for their bravery and being superior warriors. A headdress, spear and shield are essential art forms carried and worn by a...
Mid 20th century. Hand wrought iron. Cm. 6,1 high x cm. 2,3 width (2.40″ x 0.91″); grams 9,6 (0.34 oz.). “The Turkana are the finest fighting men in East Africa”, so, without so many preambles, Mr. Crampton defined his subjects when he was appointed a politacal officer in Turkanaland. He...
Early 20th century. Diameter cm. 48,0 (18.90"). A conic shape shield of buffalo leather, of the type of the Ethiopian highlands. With relieved margin, covered with dark brown velvet on the front (velvet comes from Persia) and richly decorated with ornamented brass elements: an arched shield boss, as well as 4...
Early 20th century. Cm. 60,5 high x 27,0 width (23.82 x 10.63 Inches); grams 700,0 (24.69 oz.). Known as Musri, these zoomorphic bird blades were primarily prestige emblems, but also functional weapons and throwing knives used by the Tibbu, Teda, Tubu-Daza, and Zaghawa. 1216
Early 20th century. Iron, copper. Cm. 43,5 high x 36,0 width (17.13" x 14.17"); weight: grams 624,0 (22.01 oz.). Very good condition. Mabo throwing knives, collectively known as ndo were used as weapons of war, prestige objects, and currency blades. As reported by Poutrin (1910), no Ngbaka Mabo man ever left...
Early 20th century. Iron, wood. Cm. 29,0 high (11.42"); weight: grams 184,0 (6.49 oz.). Very good condition. A small fighting axe of the Chokwe people from Angola. Steel blade in perfect condition showing no significant oxidation. m16
First half 20th century. Cm. 40,5 high x cm. 46,0 width (15.94″ x 18.11″); grams 636,0 (22.43 oz). The Datoonga shields are made of very thick pachyderm leather giving this characteristic colour. Constructed in typical oval form along a robust, vertical wooden strut. The leather of the shield is integrated into...
