The Manding or Mandingo are a West African people found in Mali, Sierra Leone and the neighbouring countries. Their traditional sword comprises a curved blade, often of European origin with a guard-less leather and brass hilt. Manging scabbards are a work of art, intricately and beautifully decorated.
The blade on this particular sword is European in origin and is known as a Montmorency blade, having a narrow fuller above a longer, broad fuller. It is likely that the blade was traded with the Mandingo people during the mid-19th Century.
The 680mm curved blade has a flat spine and terminates in a narrow hatchet point. The blade is double-edged for the final 160mm. The blade retains a fighting edge and is in good condition with small patches of cleaned, shallow pitting. The ricasso of the blade was incorporated into the Manding hilt by being wrapped in leather, hiding any maker’s details.
The Mandingo used wood with an ornate brass pommel piece to re-hilt the blade. The carved hardwood grip was then covered with leather and the tang of the blade, which passes through the brass pommel, was peened to secure the hilt. The blade is firm in the hilt and the stitching of the leather is intact and tight.
The sword is complete with its beautiful scabbard. The wooden scabbard is covered with leather and decorated with a shield-like rondel and woven and punched leather panels separated by leather disks. The paddle-shaped end of the scabbard is intricately and colourfully decorated. The scabbard is truly a work of art and is in overall good condition. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This beautiful sword would have been a cherished possession of a high-status Manding warrior.
£195.00
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