Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 32:
This sword is characteristic of the swords of Sudan, Darfur, Kanem-Bornu (Chad) and Nubia andis known as a kaskara. The term kaskara is a recent name and is unknown in the Sudan, wherethese swords are termed simply saif. The kaskara is a broadsword, with a long straight bladewith a central grove with two cutting edges. The cruciform hilt has a straight cross guard withtwo languets. The quillons are often flared andusually are long, straight and end in a T-shapedform. The crossguard center has upper and lowerlanguets. The wooden grip is usually wrapped withleather bands and ends with a disc shaped pommelsuch as this example. These swords are usually oneyard in length though sometimes there are shorterexamples such as this one. There are some regionaldifferences in the types of kaskara especially withrespect to the form of the crossguard and thisparticularly crossguard of iron is more specific to theregion around Dongola to the north.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a rathersimple style likely attributed to the examples usedby the Beja and Hadendoa of south east Sudan. Thescabbards are frequently made of molded leathersuch as this example and have a characteristic bulgeat the tip, called a bouterolle. See to the right animage of a Beja warrior holding a similar kaskara, though of longer dimensions.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 24 3/4" Blade Length : 19 1/2"References:1. Stone, G. C. (1934). A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms andArmor in All Countries and in All Times. Mineola NY: Dover Publications.2. Spring, Christopher (1993). African arms and armour. British Museum Press3. Pradines, Stephane & Khorasani, Manouchehr. (2018). SUFI IN WAR: PERSIAN INFLUENCEON AFRICAN WEAPONRY IN 19TH CENTURY MAHDIST SUDAN.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
Share this lot:
