Fine Kuba Shortsword ikul with extensive studded hilt and sheath

A fine dagger from the central Congo region. Nice old example, the dagger hilt with very large round pommel applied with brass rounded studs, lovely old encrusted patination to the top, the grip of shaped darkwood. The blade is of steel with a nice central section of finely chiselled linear designs. The sheath made from a single piece of darkwood with a raised central part to take a strap, the front applied allover with iron domed headed studs, the corners reinforced with shaped sections of iron. Dating to the early 20th century.   africa