Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 74:
This sword is characteristic of the swords of Sudan, Darfur, Kanem-Bornu (Chad) and Nubia andis currently referred to as a kaskara. The term kaskara is a recent name and is completelyunknown in the Sudan, where these swords are termed simply saif. The kaskara is a broadsword, with a long straight blade with a central grove with two cutting edges. The cruciform hilt has astraight cross guard with two languets. The quillons are often flared and usually are long, straightand end in a T-shaped form. The crossguard center has upper and lower languets. The woodengrip is usually wrapped with leather bands or other materials such as silver filigree and ends witha disc shaped pommel. These swords are usually one yard in length. There are some regionaldifferences in the types of kaskara especially with respect to the form of the crossguard. Thisparticular crossguard with the heavily flared quillons of iron is more characteristic of swordsfrom the western Sudan Darfur region.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a good example of a mid-level sword, with a distinctstyle of handle mounted in twine and reptile skin. The crossguard of this sword most closelyresembles the style of crossguard called the "Mutamaan" which has a diamond shape at the ends, but with eight facets, hence the name deriving from the Arabic word for eight, tamaanye. It is the most common style. The blade of this sword, attributed in the Schmiedt Collection as a local blade, has a wide single fuller running the full length of the blade, called khar (channel or canal).The scabbard in embossed leather, with white leather embellishment and a bouterolle enlargedtip mounted with a silver chape.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 40 3/4" Blade Length : 35 1/4" 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.4. Hunley, E. (1984) The Social Economics of Small Craft Production: The Sword andKnife Makers of Kassala, Eastern Sudan. Dissertation. State University of New York atBinghamton.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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