1884.24.22

Collection type

Object

Description

Two-edged sword or knife, expanding blade with convex, wide-angled top. Wooden handle bound with reptile skin. [El.B 06/11/2007]

Geographical reference

Gabon

Africa > Central Africa > Gabon

Unknown

Cultural groups

Fang

Person

Maker Unknown Maker

Field collector Unknown Collector

PRM source Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers founding collection

Date / Period

Date made: Possibly before 1867

Date collected

?By 1867 [judging by mention in 'Primitive Warfare]

Acquisition information

Donated: 1884

Materials and processes

Material Metal, Material Wood Plant, Material Reptile Skin, Process Forged (Metal), Process Carved, Process Bound

Dimensions

Length: max 520 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1884.24.22 PR Cat other PR nos: 1098

Research and responses

The provenance suggests this might be a RBN Walker object. In 'Primitive Warfare' [lecture given to Royal United Services Institution] there is mention of a Fan war axe, used as Plate 1 fig 5 'Sword of native manufacture, minus the wooden handle, and War Axe both constructed by the Fans of the Gaboon country, West Africa. From Col. Lane Fox's collection. A nearly similar axe is the collection of the Royal United Services Institution. The patterns of ornamentation are taken, partly from the Fan War Axe and partly from some knives of iron brought from Central Africa by Mr. Petherick and now in Col. Lane Fox's collection'. [p31] [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]'... while the Institute has a most valuable collection of skulls and skeletons, it has on the other hand never succeeded in collecting an ethnographical museum of any educational value. A few articles, not unfamiliar to the visitors of any large ethnographical museum, such as weapons, dresses, models &c., have been presented to the Society at various times, but while they have occupied much wall space in the rooms of the Institute, and thus cramped the library, they are neither sufficient in number nor capable of arrangement in any order complete enough to serve the purpose intended. Upon a careful review of the whole of the circumstances, therefore, the Council have resolved that it would be the wisest course for the Institute to devote all spare funds to the enlargement of the Library, and to maintain the collection of skulls and skeletons, but to give up the attempt, which they are convinced would be a hopeless one, to establish any sufficiently large and comprehensive ethnographical museum. Their view was confirmed by the independent professional opinion of a valuer nominated by an eminent firm, who estimated the value of all the ethnographical specimens referred to at only £45. ... The Council resolved, therefore, subject to the approval of this meeting, to accept two offers, amounting together to £54, or £9 more than the valuer's estimate, viz: one of £14 from Mr Franks, curator of the Christy Collection, for the Burmese gong, and one of £40 from Major-General Pitt Rivers for the other objects, with the view of their being ultimately deposited at South Kensington. ...' [Report of the Council of the Anthropological Institute ...' [JAI, vol 10 (1881) 438-9] [AP 6/12/2005]

Search terms: Weapon, Sword, Knife