Ceremonial adze ·  D. R. Congo, Pende · ID: 3039725

Description

wood, dark brown patina, red paint, kaolin, iron blade, decorating tags, poker work, adze head in shape of an athropomorphic head with the blade protruding like a tongue from the head’s mouth, typical facial features (vaulted forehead, continuous arching brows, nearly closed eyes), slightly dam., minor missing parts (coiffure, shaft), min. corrosion;
in the past, a Pende chief wore a decorative adze with a fine blade and a sculpted shaft over his left shoulder while travelling. The adze not only added to his style but gave him the power to speak with authority. The chief would sometimes send the adze with a messenger to reprimand one of his subordinates, or to summon someone to trial.

The object Ceremonial adze with the object ID 3039725 was last part of the auction 81st Tribal Art Auction at October 31, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 483.

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Comparing literature

Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 332