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**VERY RARE**CAPTURED OR RECOVERED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD**VICTORIAN ZULU WARS BATTLE OF GINGINDLOVU 1879**Original Hand Crafted African High Ranking Zulu Chieftain’s Large Tropical Hard Wood Knobkerrie / War Club Fully Wrapped With Iron & Copper Wire Bind. - 22761
The Battle of Gingindlovu (South bank of the Inyezane River) was fought on 2 April 1879 between a British relief column sent to break the Siege of Eshowe and a Zulu impi of King Cetshwayo. At dawn on 2 April 1879, the morning sun revealed muddy ground and a thick mist, shots were heard from the night pickets still on duty. The Zulu impi was advancing; the main force split into two columns before crossing the Ineyzane and assuming the "chest and horns" formation. The left horn sharply curved to the right to assault the north-east corner of the British position, while the "chest" gently curved towards its the north face. Another force passed Misi Hill and approached the British, forming the right horn of the impi. The Bull's Head formation came at a run on the three sides of the British. At a range of 300–400 yds the British infantry opened fire, supported by the Gatling guns and rockets. Zulu marksmen caused a few casualties within the British ranks but the defenders kept the Zulus at bay. Though the Zulu regiments made persistent rushes to get within stabbing range, their charges lacked the drive and spirit that had pushed them forward at the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. Around 7:00 a.m., the impi had been halted but had not withdrawn. Chelmsford ordered his mounted troops to attack. Many Zulu were killed as they swiftly retreated. The British victory allowed Chelmsford to advance his forces and raise the siege of Eshowe. The battle left 1,100 Zulu dead and wounded behind. The British suffered two officers and nine men killed, including a lieutenant-colonel; four officers and fifty men were wounded. Illustrated in the images is ‘The final repulse of the Zulus at Ginghilovo, from a sketch supplied by Lieutenant-Colonel J. North Crealock’ (not included). Zulu Knobkerrie, also spelled knopkierie or knobkerry, are clubs used mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. Typically they have a large knob at one end and can be used for throwing at animals in hunting or for clubbing an enemy's head. This High Ranking Zulu Chieftain’s knobkierie was reputedly captured at or recovered from the Gingindlovu battlefield. The large hand crafted tropical hard wood club measures 32 ½” overall length. The bulbous ‘hammer’ head is just under 3” diameter & would create devastating injuries if used as a weapon. The club head and sections of the shaft have intricate copper & iron wire binding (it is unusual to find the club head completely wrapped as found on our example indicating that this club belonged to a high ranking Chieftain). The top of the club head has a copper rivet. The lower end of the shaft has a leather bound grip section. The leather of the grip has age and handling related wear (illustrated in image 3). All wire binding is tight and intact apart from a small are an a small section near to the butt of the shaft which is a little frayed on the bottom edge (illustrated in image 3). The mid-section of the shaft has a silver plate engraved ‘Gingindlovu 1879’ most likely commissioned by the British Officer or Trooper who recovered this club from the battlefield. The price includes delivery. Sn 22761 (top shelf storeroom with ethnic items)
£1,250.00

Early 20th Century Hand Crafted Tribal Tourist Piece Zulu Warrior’s Ingubha (Cow Hide) Umbumbuluzo Small War Shield With Removable Staff, Assegai Stabbing Spear & Knobkerry War Club Also Additional Assegai & Knobkerrie With Decorative Bead Work - 17840:1 - 17480:1
A cow-hide shield is known as ingubha in Zulu. Large (ihubelo) War shields measured between 5 and 6 Feet & were made of raw cattle hide. The umbumbuluzo was a smaller war shield up to 3½ feet in length. War shields, which were more than mere commodities for physical protection also acted as status symbols or Coat of Arms for a family or tribe. This is an early 20th century Zulu umbumbuluzo Ingubha small war shield, hand made in Africa by tribal blacksmiths for the European tourist trade who were then still fascinated by the Zulu wars of the 1870’s. The typical form Cow Hide shield measures 35” length x 18” width. The centre length of the shield has inserted sections of hide to create strength and originally to identify a family or tribe. The rear has leather cord which holds its turned wood staff / shaft which originally acted both as a staff for foraging and fighting and when inserted, as a handle for the shield. The staff measures 4 Feet 7 Inches length. The top of the staff has a cow hide with fur totem. The knobkerrie attached to the shield by leather ties is 36” length with typical bulbous head. The Assegai attached to the shield by leather ties measures 37” length. It has a section of stitched cow hide with fur beneath the 6 ½” typical form leaf shaped iron blade. The blade has staining and light areas of surface rust to be expected. The assegai shaft and staff have cut sections in their centres to allow them to fit neatly together for display. The separate Assegai measures 39” overall length. The stained wood shaft has a section of colourful Native handcrafted beadwork, and a section of stitched cow hide with fur beneath its 8” crudely hand forged blackened iron leaf shaped blade which is sharp. The separate knobkerrie measures 32” overall length with typical bulbous head. The stained wood shaft has a section of colourful Native handcrafted beadwork and 2 sections of stitched cow hide. Included is a small 3” bracket for wall hanging which came with display and 2 small screws which fit 2 pre-drilled holes in the top section of the shield’s staff. The price for this piece which would make a great addition to any ethnic or Zulu war collection includes UK delivery. Sn 17840:1
£425.00

19th Century Islamic Indo-Persian Mughal Native Warrior’s Brass Dhal Fighting Shield. Sn 21449:11 - 21449:11
The Dhal is a type of shield found in the Indian subcontinent ( see page 206 of Stone’s book ‘A Glossary Of Arms & Armor’). Dhal shields are nearly always geometrically round and they vary in diameter from about eight inches to twenty-four inches. Some are nearly flat while others are strongly curved. This is an excellent curved Dhal. Our brass Dhal is 19” diameter with correct rolled edges. The curved Dhal has 4 central bosses for striking opponents and deflecting blows. The front of the shield is decorated throughout with Religious figures Godess Sarasvati, Lord Shiva and Rampant lions on a foliate field. The inside of the Dhal has 4 iron hanging rings for grip chains and has a central cloth pad. The shield has no dents. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21449:11 (shelves storeroom near bells)
£395.00

Early 20th Century African ‘Azande Sickle Sword’ from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 21101. - 21101
The Azande are an ethnic group in Central Africa speaking the Zande languages (whose classification is uncertain). They live in the south-eastern part of the Central African Republic, the north-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the south-central and south-western parts of South Sudan. The Azande were believed to be formed by a military conquest during the first half of the 18th century. They were led by two dynasties that differed in origin and political strategy. The Azande are mainly small-scale farmers. Crops include maize, rice, groundnuts (also known as peanuts), sesame, cassava and sweet potatoes. Fruits grown in the area include mangos, oranges, bananas, pineapples, and also sugar cane. Zandeland is also full of palm oil and sesame. This sword measures 45 cm overall and has a cylindrical pommel and grip bound with metal bands. The sickle shaped blade has two pierced holes and measures 24 cm. The sickle sword would have been used for agricultural purposes/animal culling and combat. See page 82 Figure 102 of ‘A Glossary of Arms and Armour’ by George Cameron Stone for similar. The price for this interesting piece includes UK delivery. 21101. (Bottom shelf right hand side)
£275.00

Central African Kondo/Ikakalaka Sword with Hide Sheath. 21093. - 21093
The African Konda sword is one of the most fearsome-looking swords in the world. This terrifying-looking blade was created in the 19th century and is often called the Ikakalaka. It has become a staple of popular culture in the 21st century thanks to its blade design and shape. Although it may look ceremonial, the Konda could effectively cut, slash, and thrust. Hourglass handle. The Konda or Ikakalaka African sword is made of iron and steel and has a straight, double-edged blade. The style of this type of sword was fairly common in the African art of swords, designed to distinguish itself and be a prestige sword. Konda or Ikakalaka swords are primarily made to be one-handed weapons, which explains the small hourglass-shaped handle. The handle acts as a form of protection for the user’s hand while allowing a firm grip when held. Whether Western, Central African, or as far away as the Indonesian islands, swords made with intricate details were one of the best ceremonial and prestigious tools to own. That is why the Konda was one of the most popular emblems of leadership commonly seen on many tribal chiefs throughout the Konda peoples of Congo In Congo, even in the early 20th century, a lot of trade was going on without the use of coins or modern currency. A very high item of value that could buy many things was made out of metal, which made the Konda a prized possession used in trade. Some highly religious and ceremonial acts that used the Konda sword throughout Africa were sacrificial, and others included bringing a better harvest or hunt. At times they were used as a method of punishment for a criminal or a wrong-doer. Some African swords, like the Ngombe and Konda, were excellent decapitating tools, making them a popular executioner’s sword. Despite being linked to nobility and high-ranking members of Congo, the Konda was a useful tool in battle. Its double-edge blade was effective for slashing and piercing through flesh. Blade length; 36 ½ cm with the tang running through the hardwood hourglass shaped handle, overall length; 54 cm. The blade is; 8 ¼ cm at its widest and 5 ¼ cm at its narrowest point. The blade is dressed with tribal/ceremonial markings engraved into the metalwork. The sheath is made from wood and covered in animal hide with decorative stitching running throughout, and two large wicker bound handles either side. The Konda sword is now among the most well-known blade in popular culture, rivaling the Japanese Katana. The price for this impressive piece includes UK delivery. 21093. (Bottom shelf right hand side)
£245.00

Victorian Hand Crafted African Zulu Warrior’s Large Tropical Hard Wood Knobkerrie / War Club Formed From The Heart Wood (Strongest Part) Of The Tree With Iron Wire Binding. Sn 15012 - 15012
A Circa 19th Century Zulu Warrior’s large knobkerrie. Knobkerrie, also spelled knopkierie or knobkerry, are clubs used mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. Typically they have a large knob at one end and can be used for throwing at animals in hunting or for clubbing an enemy's head. This knobkierie is hand crafted from the ‘heart wood’ (strongest part of the tree) of a tropical hard wood tree to form the knob and crafted to create the shaft. The club measures 29” in length. The bulbous ‘hammer’ head is 3” diameter & would create devastating injuries if used as a weapon. The well-defined heart wood can clearly be seen in image 2. The hammer head and shaft have stable surface cracks, knocks and bumps to be expected with age. The shaft has a 2 ½” section of original iron wire binding at the top end where it meets the hammer head. The price for this knobkerrie includes delivery. Sn 15012
£275.00
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