Axe · D. R. Congo, Luba · ID: 3036663
Description
wood, shiny dark brown patina, metal tags, crowned by a human head with burled coiffure, the mortised blade emerging out of the mouth, min. dam., crack (left side of the head), small missing parts, slight traces of corrosion;
aside their role as prestige emblems, axes carry more profound messages in Luba royal ritual. Above all they play a central role in the initiation rites of “mbudye”, an association responsible for inducting persons into royal office.The axe is the instrument used to clear the path.
The object Axe with the object ID 3036663 was last part of the auction 76th tribal art auction at March 22, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 573.
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Comparing literature
Fischer, Werner & Manfred A. Zirngibl, Afrikanische Waffen, Passau 1978, p. 137, ill. 247