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1886.1.619.1

Sword [.1] with decorated leather sheath [.2], detached leather panel [.3] and detached carrying strap [.4] [SM 08/11/2007]

1886.1.619.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Sword [.1] with decorated leather sheath [.2], detached leather panel [.3] and detached carrying strap [.4] [SM 08/11/2007]
Long description
Sword [.1] with decorated leather sheath [.2], detached leather panel [.3] and detached carrying strap [.4]. The sword hilt is bound with leather and has a round brass pommel. The sheath is leaf shaped at the end and has five stout leather collars. It is decorated all over with stamped and painted designs. It has four saucer pommels - two are decorated like the sheath - and two long tassels of leather thongs and leather panels. The panels are decorated with incised geometric patterns. The detached leather panel is of a similar style to the other panels, but is slightly larger with a small perforation at the narrow end. There is a perforation in the centre of the sheath where it is likely that it was originally attached. The carrying strap is made from textile bound with red wool and with two large red woollen tassels. [SM 08/11/2007]
Cultural groups
Mandinka
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1879, uncertain Date made: 1879, uncertain
Date collected
?On or before 1879
Acquisition information
Transferred: 08/03/1886
Materials and processes
Material Animal Leather Skin, Material Wool Yarn Animal, Material Textile, Material Brass Metal, Material Pigment, Material Iron Metal, Material Steel Metal, Process Forged (Metal), Process Bound, Process Stamped, Process Incised, Process Stained, Process Dyed
Dimensions
Length: max 370 mm carrying strap, bound including tassels, Width: max 87 mm sheath excluding pommels, Length: max 872 mm sword in sheath, Length: max 394 mm detached leather decoration
Object numbers
Accession number: 1886.1.619.1 Accession number: 1886.1.619.2 Accession number: 1886.1.619.3 Accession number: 1886.1.619.4
Research and responses

There is some correspondence in the Ashmolean Museum Dept of Antiquities about this item, please see AMS 16/3 a letter from J.R. Maxwell to J.H. Parker (Addition book 1879 p. 260) [AP 18/9/2007]

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

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