A 19TH CENTURY NORTH AFRICAN OR MAHDIST MACE OR BATON OF RANK, 65cm over all length with flanged mace form head with brass inlays, dual spike finial, the octagonal haft with brass inlays and spear form terminal.

Beside the Alam this shorter ones might have been used as a sceptre or command baton for giving orders and as a symbol of authority by the commanders.

Lit.: Anthony C. Tirri: Islamic and native weapons of colonial Africa; pg. 41, fig. 1-27