Displaying a beautiful form, this Ingessana title blade conveys a sense of status and prestige. Beyond the hilt, the forged iron blade starts to elegantly curve and at the top culminates with a representation of a snake's head.
On either side of the knife, finely incised patterns of dots, lines and miniature wave-like motifs run along the shaft in a design that are thought to resemble a reptile's scales. The handle has been wrapped in lizard or snake skin, and above, located at the centre of the knife is a projection in the shape of a smaller snake's head.
Ex Private Collection, UK
Estimated Period: Early 20th Century
H: 60 cm
References
M.C.Jedrej, ‘Ingessana Throwing Knives (Sudan)’, Anthropos (1975), pp. 42-48.
(Click on images to enlarge)
