Northeast Africa, Sudan, ca. 19th century CE. A double-edged dagger with a leather sheath, the blade and handle are a single piece of iron, the blade etched with linear motifs, and the handle wrapped in cloth and monitor lizard skin. The sheath is made from black cotton cloth covered in tooled leather with monitor lizard skin on the tip. Size of knife: 12.5" L x 1.4" W (31.8 cm x 3.6 cm); sheath: 8" L x 1.5" W (20.3 cm x 3.8 cm)

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-private Fayetteville, Arkansas estate, USA, acquired 1960 to 2024

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#186839

Sheath is fragile and actively flaking when handled, with tears and losses to the leather. We do not recommend trying to sheath the blade, as it will likely tear the leather. Knife blade is pitted with age and has small losses to the peripheries, heavy patina and toning. Some old losses to the cloth and skin wrappings on the handle, but stiff and encrusted into place from age / use.