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Sword and its scabbard-Diplomatic gift from Negus Menelik II Emperor of Ethiopia
About the Item
This prestige weapon was commissioned by Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia as a diplomatic gift for the renowned French Armenian merchant and honorary French envoy Matig Kevorkoff, a prominent tobacco magnate based in Ethiopia. Kevorkoff, who had first settled in Harar before establishing himself in Addis Ababa—the capital founded by Menelik II—played a significant role in fostering trade and diplomacy between France and Ethiopia.
True to Menelik II's iconic imagery, the blade features an engraved profile of the emperor, faithful to his official portraits. Below a decorative plant frieze on the curved blade, an inscription in Ge'ez, the liturgical language of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church, reads:
"Ethiopia stretches her hands to God."
The blade also bears a European count's crown and the inscription acknowledging its receiver:
"M. KÉVORKOFF & CO HARRAR."
The weapon's handle, crafted from horn, is adorned with a Maria Theresa thaler, adding to its intricate design and cultural significance.
Menelik II: A Brief Biography
Menelik II (August 17, 1844 – December 12, 1913) was one of Ethiopia’s greatest rulers. Initially king of Shewa (1865–1889), he ascended to the imperial throne in 1889, expanding the Ethiopian Empire nearly to its current borders. His reign is celebrated for modernizing Ethiopia and securing its sovereignty by defeating an Italian invasion at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.
Born to Haile Malakot, the Negus (king) of Shewa, and a court servant, Menelik claimed descent from the Solomonid dynasty through his paternal lineage. As a young man, he was captured by Emperor Tewodros II and held in Amba Magdala for nearly a decade. During this time, he witnessed Tewodros’s reform efforts and heavy-handed methods, which ultimately led to the emperor’s downfall.
After escaping captivity in 1865, Menelik returned to Shewa, where he deposed the appointed ruler and declared himself Negus. Renowned for his diplomacy and military acumen, Menelik expanded his territory to include Arusi, Harar, Jima, and several southern kingdoms. In 1889, he claimed the imperial crown following the death of Emperor Yohannes IV.
A dispute with Italy over the Treaty of Wichale culminated in the Battle of Adwa, where Ethiopian forces decisively defeated the Italians, cementing Ethiopia’s sovereignty and elevating Menelik’s international status. Post-Adwa, Menelik modernized Ethiopia, establishing ministries, schools, communication systems, and railways. However, a series of strokes from 1906 onwards diminished his role, leading to his death in 1913.
Matig Kevorkoff: The Diplomatic Merchant
Born in Üsküdar (near Constantinople) in 1867, Matig Kevorkoff received an education at the Hagop Kurken Armenian College. After brief stays in Egypt and Djibouti, he established a successful trading company in 1896, importing goods such as textiles, beverages, and building materials into Ethiopia. His monopoly on Ethiopia’s tobacco trade became the cornerstone of his wealth.
Kevorkoff, a French citizen, was deeply integrated into Ethiopian society. He served as an honorary French representative and later as the Armenian Republic's plenipotentiary ambassador to Ethiopia. Recognized for his contributions, Kevorkoff was among the first administrators of the Bank of Ethiopia and was decorated multiple times by the Ethiopian government. In 1927, he was elected president of the Armenian community in Ethiopia, solidifying his legacy as a cultural and diplomatic bridge between nations.
- Dimensions:Height: 35.83 in (91 cm)Width: 5.91 in (15 cm)Depth: 2.37 in (6 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:Ethiopia
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1890
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Leuven , BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3301142529942
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