ceremonial weapon

Sword of state of King Kofi Karikari of Asante. The sword has a long, curved black iron blade with an open lattice in the end portion, and channeling and engraving on one side. There is more elaborate engraving (sun, lizard symbols etc) on the square 'U' shaped 'hilt', one arm of which has been repaired with a metal plate and crude rivets. Each arm of the 'U' is tanged and hourglass shaped. Wooden handles are attached, decorated with the criss-cross regalia of King Kofi. The sword was captured during the British ocupation of Kumasi in 1896.

Label: Old display label, reading 'THE SWORD OF STATE OF KING KOFFI OF ASHANTI. / Taken from Kumasi when occupied by the British in 1896. / Wooden handles, iron blade. / Presented by Royal United Service Institiute.'

fighting

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
25.9.63/8
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 1193.8 x 228.6 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
iron; wood
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
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Collection Information

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