1911.36.59.1

Collection type

Object

Description

Sword [.1] with two edged blade and wooden sheath [.2] covered in otter skin with a leather covered plant fibre carrying strap. [SM 29/06/2007]

Long description

Sword [.1] with two edged blade and wooden sheath [.2] covered in otter skin with a leather covered plant fibre carrying strap. The sword blade is decorated with stamped zigzags and lines along the centre of the blade on both surfaces. The hilt is covered with leather and has convex lengths of brass wire set into it, creating a domed ridge towards the butt/pommel. The hilt has a long cylindrical iron butt that flares out slightly towards the end. The sheath has an expanded and rounded tip. It has 16 widthways ridges down the front that are highlighted with stitching and it is stitched together up the back with plant fibre. The carrying strap/shoulder sling is made from plant fibre covered in leather and it is tied on to one edge of the sheath with string in two places. [SM 29/06/2007]

Geographical reference

Congo, Democratic Republic of

Africa > Central Africa > Congo, Democratic Republic of

Between Lualaba & Luapula Rivers

Cultural groups

Luba

Person

Field collector Frederick Otto Stohr

PRM source Frederick Otto Stohr

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1911

Date collected

By 1911

Acquisition information

Donated: 1911

Materials and processes

Material Iron Metal, Material Wood Plant, Material Otter Skin Animal, Material Plant Fibre, Material Brass Metal, Material String, Process Forged (Metal), Process Covered, Process Stitched, Process Stamped, Process Decorated, Process Tied

Dimensions

Width: max 57 mm, Length: max 612 mm, Length: max 476 mm, Width: max 134 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1911.36.59.1 Accession number: 1911.36.59.2

Research and responses

This object was looked at by a group of students from Regent's Park College, Oxford on August 6 2015 [NC 12/08/2015]

Search terms: Weapon, Transport and Travel, Sword, Sheath, Carrying Device, Knife