Baoulé Prestige Sword
Baoulé
French Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Late 19th - Early 20th century (ca. 1890 - 1930)
Iron, brass
Blade: 40,6cm
Hilt & Blade: 53,7cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 424
Ex. Ethan Rider: Oakland, California, USA (2024) (https://www.ertribal.com/index.php/tribal-art/archive/asymmetrical-blades/curved-prestige-sword-baule-ivory-coast)
A prestige sword from the Baoulé People of the Ivory Coast. The double- edged iron blade has a raised medial ridge with the end terminating in a squared off tip. Three shallow fullers present on each side of the ridge. The hilt is heavy, created in the West African lost-wax cast method using brass with an iron crowned pommel.
Photograph 8: "Entrance of warriors in Kondena". Baoulé men with swords. Hans Himmelheber. 1930s. (Museum Rietberg Zürich, Die Kulture der Baule, 1997).