Accession Number
1985/2.123A-B

Title
Knife with wooden scabbard

Artist(s)
Songye

Artist Nationality
Songye

Object Creation Date
1945-1955

Medium & Support
iron, wood, copper, and twine

Dimensions
21 1/4 in x 4 7/8 in (54 cm x 12.4 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of the Honorable Jack Faxon

Subject matter
In Central Africa, metal swords were used as weapons of warfare and at other times as ceremonial items. The specific function of this sword is unknown. However, the point on the end of the hilt suggests that it was worn as part of a ceremonial costume.

Physical Description
The sword has an elongated, leaf-shaped blade. The handle is embellished with tacks and a small cone on the end.
 
The wooden scabbard or sheath is wide and tapers at the bottom before widening again at the base. Twine is wrapped around three sections of the sheath and a fourth section has markings of having once been wrapped in twine. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
knife

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
ceremonial weapons
knife
metalwork (visual works)
scabbard
sheaths (cases)
weaponry