Arm Dagger
Arm Dagger
Fur
Sultanate of Darfur (Darfur, Sudan)
Late 19th century (1880 - 1900)
Steel, wood, silver, leather, crocodile skin
Blade: 16,8cm
Hilt & Blade: 27cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 28,3cm
Collection Date: 2017
Collection Number: 29
Ex. Belgian Private Collection (2017)
A very fine arm dagger of the Darfur Sultanate in Sudan, dating to the late 19th century. This type of arm dagger is closely related to the Khartoum style but less common, always having a silver chape and a domed pommel cap. Similar examples can be found in the Palace of Sultan Ali Dinar Museum in Al Fashir, Dafur. Undoubtedly, they have also made their way to be sold in the markets in the capital twin cities of Omdurman / Khartoum.
The straight steel blade is double- edged with a prominent medial ridge separating two outside fullers with beveled edges. The flared hilt, carved from a richly grained dark hardwood is decorated with finely worked silver filigree bands and bound silver wire around the central grip. Disc- shaped pommel with a filigree band ending in an elaborate chiseled silver domed pommel cap. The sheath is embossed red leather with a section of crocodile skin. Complimented by engraved silver mouth and chape fittings showing crescent moons and other motifs. Attached is a braided leather arm loop. A very fine quality arm dagger of Darfur.
The last photograph showing a comparison of similar examples found in the Palace of Sultan Ali Dinar Museum in Al Fashir, Dafur.
[1] Similar arm daggers can be found in the Palace of Sultan Ali Dinar Museum in Al Fashir, Darfur.
[3] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3960
[4] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6039
[5] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=4515