AFRICAN KNIVES, SWORDS, AXES and SPEARS

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.

KOTA
Knives

KUBA
Mongo Knives 



LOBI
Iron Knife Bells

VARIOUS
Throwing Knives

BENIN
Objects
 

VARIOUS
Throwing Knives

 

LOBALA
Prestige Swords

 AFRICAN
Currencies 1

BENIN
Objects

AFRICAN
Currencies

Throwing
Knives

VARIOUS
Knives

  YORUBA
Knives
Catalog

POTO
Knife
Currency

 

BANGALA
Currency
Catalog

MANGBETU
Prestige
Knives

VARIOUS
Throwing
Knives

TARUMBA
"Spear"
Currency

MUMUYE
Currency
Catalog

BAMANA
Lance 4
27.5", $350

ASANTE
Knives
Catalog



NKUTSU
Spear tips
Catalog

TARUMBA
"Spear"
Currency

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

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.

Some forms have become famous and popular and are now made to be sold.

All of these are as we obtained them. Many of the currencies, especially, 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.

GO TO METALWORKS PAGE

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

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TRIBE


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GO TO METALWORKS PAGE

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GO TO METALWORKS EXHIBITION PAGE 2

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TRIBE

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