Beautiful early 20thC ceremonial dagger from West Africa, likely from the Manding people and dating first half of the last century. The sheath is of a very unusual form and has has been made from three different tones of cow hide. The handle is also covered in cow hide.
The dagger is in great condition for its age and would make an excellent addition to any collection of African tribal art.
The Mandinka (also known as the Mandingo and Malinke, among other names) are a West African people spread across parts of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The Mandinka are famous for wood-carving and leather and metal crafts. They are also known for weaving (men) and dyeing (women), including dresses made of mud cloth decorated with stylized patterns depicting symbolically important animals such as lizards, tortoises, and crocodiles.
The dagger is in great condition for its age and would make an excellent addition to any collection of African tribal art.
The Mandinka (also known as the Mandingo and Malinke, among other names) are a West African people spread across parts of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The Mandinka are famous for wood-carving and leather and metal crafts. They are also known for weaving (men) and dyeing (women), including dresses made of mud cloth decorated with stylized patterns depicting symbolically important animals such as lizards, tortoises, and crocodiles.