Billao
Billao
Somaliland (Somalia)
Somali / Dervish kingdom
Late 19th century (ca. 1885 - 1900)
Horn, brass, zinc, steel
Blade: 24 8cm
Hilt & Blade: 38,7cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 42,5cm
Collection Date: 2023
Collection Number: 354
An old example of the Somali billao knife of the Horn of Africa. The blade is very wide and hand forged. Double-edged, asymmetrical, with a medial ridge, tapering into a point. The hilt is carved from dark horn separated with a brass and zinc spacer. Iron ferrule and three- pronged pommel with central spike. An example of large proportions with a wide blade and very good quality steel. From the late 19th century.
Spring, Christopher, “African Arms and Armor”, 1993, Page 105 – 106 (Info.)
W. O. Oldman, “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens”, List No. 87, Vol. vii; Item #19 (1538)
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1947-16-169-a-b
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af-3628-a-b
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1934-0605-10-a-b
https://prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/prm-object-146087