TETELA SLAVER'S SWORD

Second half of the 19th century. From the Baptist Missionary Society Collection. 22" length, with two stage hilt. The medial swell wrapped in leather flanked by copper wrap. Copper covered flared guard. Heart shaped blade on chiseled bolster. Thickened medial stepped to the edges. The larger field with random tool texture each side and the smaller finished smooth. Undamaged with wonderful age character. In this period, there were just two commodities produced in Africa, ivory and slaves, of whom millions were exported.