H x W x D: 40.6 x 22.1 x 6.2cm (16 x 8 11/16 x 2 7/16in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Late 19th-early 20th century
Label Text:
In late 19th and early 20th century travel accounts, the use of curved bladed knives as prestige emblems among the Mangbetu is well documented. They were carried in the right hand or sometimes hooked over the shoulder, but not stuck in a belt. These knives seem to be elaborations of the utilitarian bush knife and in fact old, worn knives may revert to a utilitarian function. Both dramatic and elegant with its pierced and curved form, the blade is of highly forged iron and the handle of simple wood. Sometimes the handles are embellished with wire or made of ivory and there are several relatively standard variations in the length and form of the handle and the metal shaft below the curve.
Description:
Knife with curved iron blade and three holes mid-rib on a wood handle with cylindrical pommel. Top third of the handle shaft is wrapped with copper wire.
Provenance:
Harold Rome, New York, -- to 1980
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