ETHIOPIAN GURADE CA.1895

This Ethiopian gurade is mounted with a cavalry-sized heavy 81 cm long blade, which is finely etched on both sides and the back. Quality of the etching is a step above the majority of Ethiopian swords that I have seen. The decorations feature Ethiopian and Islamic swords, traditional Ethiopian shields, floral sprays and panoply of arms and armor. Lion of Judah is etched on the reverse ricasso. Blade was made in either France, England or Germany, and hilted in Ethiopia. Silver pommel cap resembles an Ethiopian shield. Blade has acquired a beautiful patina and shows signs of honest aging. I would date this sword ca.1890s-early 1900s.