Billao
Billao
Italia Somaliland - British Somaliland (Somaliland) - Somalia
Dervish Somali Kingdom
Late 19th century (ca. 1890 - 1900)
Elephant ivory, silver, horn, zinc, steel, goat hide
Blade: 21,6cm
Hilt & Blade: 38,7cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 40cm
Collection Date: 2016
Collection Number: 42
Ex. Auctions Imperial: Chatsworth, California, USA (2016)
Ex. California, USA Private Collection
Ex. Oriental Arms: Haifa, Israel
A fine and old example of the Somali billao knife of the Horn of Africa. The blade is hand forged, double-edged, asymmetrical, with a slight medial ridge tapering into a point. The center is blackened. The hilt is carved from elephant ivory with the central grip section carved from a dark horn separated with a brass and zinc spacer. Silver pommel spike, but missing the finial bulb. Fine intricately tooled sheath of goat hide. A fine example with good age and a rare combination of the ivory and horn variation, the only example found of this type. Beautiful deep yellow patina to the ivory from age.
[1] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=531
[2] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3270&highlight=billao (Post #27 in the previous owner’s collection)
[3] Spring, Christopher. 1993. “African Arms and Armor”. Page 105 – 106 (Info)
[4] https://oriental-arms.com/product/billao-dagger-from-east-africa/