Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 75:
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. There are some regional differences in the types of kaskara especiallywith respect to the form of the crossguard and this particularly crossguard of with the heavilyflared quillons of iron and the silver filigree handle is more characteristic of fine swords from theEast Sudan region of the Beja people.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a good example of a higher quality sword, with adistinct style of handle mounted in silver filigree. This type of grip treatment consists of filigreedsilver tape wrapped around the wooden grip base. The process close to the execution of similarlystyled handles with embossed silver patterns. However, this signature style addresses theprotective qualities of silver and is coupled with a traditional Beja tassel. The crossguard of thissword most closely resembles the style of crossguard called the "Mutamaan" which has adiamond shape at the ends, but with eight facets, hence the name deriving from the Arabic wordfor eight, tamaanye. The blade of this sword, attributed in the Schmiedt Collection as aEuropean blade, has a wide single fuller running the full length of the blade, called khar (channelor canal). The scabbard in embossed brown leather and mounted with silver scabbard fittings, and an enlarged bouterolle.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 41" Blade Length : 34 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.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 atBinghamton5. Hunley. E. â€Å“The Sudanese Kaskara Sword in Silver Dress.â€ÂDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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