Dagger (part a) with a leather sheath (part b). Dagger with long steel(?) blade on one end and short triangular iron blade on the opposite end. The long blade is stamped with small crescent shapes fourteen times in two columns of seven near widest end of blade. Hilt made of wood covered with leather, band of reptile skin around centre of hilt. Sheath made of leather with reptile skin at opening and knotted at pointed end. A twisted cord of leather is attached to a small loop at the top of the sheath.

• Narrative

  Assumed to have been collected by Lieber while he was living in Nigeria (1965-1970), lecturing at the University of Ibadan under the auspices of CIDA.

• History Of Use

  Daggers like this one could have been worn attached to a belt, or potentially strapped around the arm for ease of access. In warfare, close-range weapons, like daggers, first became commonplace in Hausa communities in the 14th century. This dagger may also have been used for utilitarian purposes outside of combat. The smaller blade on the hilt is a rare feature.

---

• Type of Item dagger
• Culture Hausa
• Material steel metal, skin, reptile skin, iron metal
• Measurements height 43.2 cm, width 4.8 cm, depth 2.0 cm (part a) height 44.0 cm, width 4.8 cm, depth 2.5 cm (overall)

---

• Previous Owner Jack Lieber, Iris Lieber
• Received from Iris Lieber

---

• Made in Nigeria

---

• Collection Date between 1965 and 1970
• Ownership Date before 2015, before June 18, 2018
• Acquisition Date on June 18, 2018

---

• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3326/0047 a-b