锯齿状铁币刀片，莫西族（署名），布基纳法索 (没有保留价)

Serrated iron currency blade, Mossi (attribution), Burkina Faso

HIGHLIGHTS
• Rare serrated iron currency blade
• 不常见的锯齿状铁币刀片
• Uncommon saw-like form
• 罕见的锯齿状轮廓形态
• Large example with strong vertical presence
• 体量大，竖向气势强烈的实例
• Very old iron surface and patina
• 非常古老的铁质表面与包漆锈迹
• Collected in situ in Burkina Faso in the early 1990s
• 1990年代初在布基纳法索就地收集
• Mounted on locally made metal base
• 安装在本地制作的金属底座
• Mossi attribution
• 莫西署名

DETAILS
Origin: Mossi (attribution), Burkina Faso
• 产地：莫西（署名），布基纳法索
Material: Iron
• 材料：铁
Dimensions: Height: 74 cm (77 cm with base)
• 尺寸：高74厘米（含底座77厘米）
Provenance: Collected in situ by the present owner in Burkina Faso in the early 1990s
• 来源：现任所有者于1990年代初在布基纳法索就地收集
Period: Probably early 20th century or earlier
• 时代：可能二十世纪初或更早
Included: Locally made metal base
• 附件：本地制作的金属底座

DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION
A rare iron currency blade attributed to the Mossi of Burkina Faso, distinguished by its striking saw-like outline, large scale and very old surface. Severe and unusual in form, it stands out as a powerful object of exchange and prestige.
一件罕见的铁币刀，归属布基纳法索的莫西人，因其醒目的锯齿状轮廓、庞大体量以及极为陈旧的表面而著称。形态庄重且独特，作为一个强力的交易与威望象征，凸显其引人注目的力量感。

CONTEXT / ATTRIBUTION
Across a broad part of Africa, forged iron currencies took highly varied forms, often echoing blades, tools or weapon-like silhouettes while functioning primarily as objects of value, exchange and status rather than as practical implements. Museum catalogues confirm the use of terms such as blade currency and currency hoe for related African iron forms, even when their silhouettes become highly abstract. In the absence of a precise published parallel for this exact type, a prudent attribution to the Mossi sphere is appropriate here, based on field provenance and regional typology.
在非洲广阔地区，锻铁货币的形态极为丰富，常以刀锋、工具或武器般的轮廓出现，但主要功能是价值、交换和地位的象征，而非实用工具。博物馆目录确认对于相关的非洲铁形态，存在如“刀币”和“币锄”等术语，即使它们的轮廓变得非常抽象。由于缺乏对这种确切类型的明确出版对照，基于实地来源和区域类型学，这里将其谨慎归属于莫西人领域。

FORM AND PRESENCE
This example is remarkable for its long, narrow vertical blade, bordered throughout by fine serrated projections that create an extraordinary saw-like rhythm. The piece widens subtly toward the lower register before narrowing into the tang, and the whole silhouette has a stark, graphic clarity. Its unusual profile gives it an immediately recognizable sculptural presence.
此件以其长而窄的竖直刀身著称，整体被细小的锯齿状凸起环绕，形成非凡的锯齿节律。刀身在下段略微张开，然后收窄至柄部，整体轮廓呈现出鲜明、具图像性的一致性。其独特的轮廓赋予它一种立刻可识别的雕塑存在感。

SURFACE AND AGE
The iron surface shows deep age, with dense oxidation, old pitting and a softened, time-worn appearance consistent with prolonged age and exposure. The metal now reads less as a sharp implement than as a historic forged form whose original significance lay in value and display as much as in shape. More generally, African forged iron currencies are documented as objects whose forms often exceeded strict functionality.
铁质表面显示深度年龄痕迹，密集氧化、旧的点蚀，以及经久风化后柔和的外观，与长期的年代和暴露相吻合。如今的金属更多呈现出一种历史锻造形态，而非锋利工具，其原始意义在于价值与展示，而不仅仅是形状。更广泛地讲，非洲锻造铁币的形态往往超越了严格的功能性。

CONDITION
Good overall condition for an old forged iron object.
总体状况对一件老旧的锻造铁器而言良好。
Heavy old oxidation and pitting throughout.
全表面有较厚的久性氧化与点蚀。
Edge wear and minor irregularities consistent with age.
边缘磨损及细微不规则，符合年龄特征。
Mounted on a locally made metal base.
装在本地制造的金属底座上。）