Mandinka Knife
Mandinka Knife
Mandinka / Mandé
French West Africa - The Gambia Colony and Protectorate (The Gambia), French Guinea - Portuguese Guinea (Guinea), French Sudan (Mali), Senegambia (Senegal - Gambia), Ivory Coast
Second quarter 20th century (ca. 1925 - 1960)
Steel, leather
Blade: 15,6cm
Hilt & Blade: 30,2cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 36,8cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 420
Ex. Ethan Rider: Oakland, California, USA (2024) (https://www.ertribal.com/index.php/tribal-art/archive/symmetrical-blades/dagger-sheath-manding-mandingo-west-africa-1)
Ex. Heinrich Westerdijk Collection (1916 - 2001): Utrecht, Netherlands
A knife originating from the Mandinka People of West Africa, known particularly for their intricate tooled and plaited leatherwork. This knife has a double- edged blade with a raised central plane that tapers to a point. There are linear etchings near the point. Leather wrapped hilt with plaited leather central grip. Large domed leather pommel. The sheath is tooled leather with stamped geometric designs. Braided leather belt strap. The chape of leather cord tassles. A quality Manding knife formerly from the Westerdijk African Art Collection.