Fine Sword of the Manding (Mandingo), West Sahara

The Manding (Mandingo) are West African people that now live in Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Leather works of the Manding people is colorful and very decorative and employed to all articles of daily life not only arms and armor.

The traditional sword of the Manding warrior comprises a saber like blade (usually of French or other European origin), guard less leather grip and scabbard  with exquisite leather work.

The sword  exhibited here is a  prestigious one. 25 inches long curved blade, classical leather grip. Very fine, colorful and very decorative  leather scabbard with leaf shaped widening tip, entirely tooled and decorated. Of special interest are the tassels, belt and harnesses and the  big round leather knobs. Total length 32 inches. This sword comes with accompanied leather pouch of similar leather design and work. Very good condition.

Old blade, probably late 19 – early 20C.  The leather work is much later, second half of the 20C.