Ceremonial adze
D. R. Congo, Mbala
Provenance
Marc Leo Felix, Brussels, Belgium
Frederick & Claire Mebel, New York, USA
Size
H: 32,5 cm
H: 12.8 inch
Description
wood, slightly shiny reddish brown patina, curved metal blade, crowned by an anthropomorphic head with disc-shaped projecting crested coiffure, the blade emerging from the mouth, metal peg, slightly dam., cracks, inscription “FC3230” in white colour on bottem, metal base;
such adzes belonged to chiefs or diviners.
Comparing literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brussels 1987, p. 102 f.
Publications
Westerdijk Peter, "African Metal Implements. Weapons, Tools and Regalia, Collection of Frederick and Claire Mebel", Greenvale, New York: C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, 1984, page 43, fig. 200; Tirri, Anthony C., Islamic and Native Weapons of Colonial Africa 1800 - 1960, Indiana 2007, Figure 5-275, p. 375
Exhibition
Hillwood Art Gallery, Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus, Greenvale, New York, 1984. Flint Institute of Art, Flint, Michigan, 1984. Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, Ohio, 1984
