19th C. Gile Knife & Sheath, Ethiopian Nomadic Weapon

East Africa, Ethiopia / Djibouti, Afar Region, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A fine example of an Afar (Danakil) gile (jile) knife, featuring a broad, curved double-edged blade of forged iron. The wooden hilt flares at both ends in characteristic hourglass form, wrapped with brass wire and decorated with incised linear motifs. The knife is paired with its original wood scabbard, which is tightly covered in leather, with multiple leather straps, a brass buckle for belt attachment, and a brass-reinforced throat panel with etched geometric designs. The tip of the sheath is finished with additional brass wire wrapping. The knife and sheath exhibit matching patina and material consistency, but the blade no longer seats fully into the sheath - likely due to shrinkage of the wood and leather materials over time - the two components are consistent in age and workmanship, suggesting they are original to one another. Size of knife: 16" L x 2" W (40.6 cm x 5.1 cm) This knife was part of a collection assembled by Alfred Atwater Blackman (1861-1928), an avid collector and connoisseur of historic arms. He was the grandson of Edwin Atwater (1808-1874), a prominent Canadian businessman and politician. Item # 194072

Estimate:£93.44

View all items fromArtemis Fine ArtsorEthnographical