An authentic 19th-century Sudanese Kaskara sword, characteristic of the traditional edged weapons carried across the Sudan and broader Sahel region. This piece exemplifies local craftsmanship influenced by earlier Arab and Crusader-era sword forms, featuring a straight, double-edged blade with distinctive copper inlay markings on both sides.
The broad blade, forged from locally reworked trade steel, displays a single fuller extending from the ricasso, tapering to a rounded point ideal for both cutting and thrusting. The copper inlaid motifs (a symbol of Venus or a European orb, an Abyssinian or passant lion on its hind legs and mayflies on both sides), possibly talismanic or maker’s symbols, are associated with the Air region of Niger.
The sword is mounted with a leather-wrapped cross-hilt, featuring an iron crossguard in the style of Medieval swords of Europe and would have had a flat, disc-shaped pommel wrapped in plaited hide; however, this is missing.
Dimensions
Overall length: approx. 99.5cm (39.25 in)
Blade length: approx. 86.5cm (34 in)
Blade width at forte: approx. 3,5cm (1.25 in)
Condition
Good. The blade shows a fairly even-aged patina with clear copper inlay. Despite the missing pommel, the leather hilt remains solid, with some age-related wear.
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