TETELA SLAVER’S SWORD

Second half of the 19th century. From the famed Ruben Rubens collection sold in London in 1992. 24 1/2" length. Hilt in two stages with medial swell and flared guard, sheathed in copper and flanking ribbed brass spiral wrap. Long tapered copper sheathed upper for two hand use. Heart shaped blade on stippled bolster. Thickened medial stepped to the edges. Undamaged including the delicate copper sheathing. Wonderful age character. In this period, there were just two commodities produced in Africa, ivory and slaves, of whom millions were exported. The Rubens Collection was assembled with such intensity, that it changed world prices and availability of ethnographic weapons.