Chieftain's knife ·  D. R. Congo, Lobala · ID: 3035909

Description

metal, wood, broad blade, split in two half-circles, the wooden handle wrapped in brass stripes, engraved on both sides, slight traces of corrosion, base;
a human figure with raised arms recognizable. Based on the painstakingly done engravings on the blade and the abundant windings on the handle it can be said that the knife was definitely not used as a weapon despite its shapened cutting edge but rather as a cheiftain’s insignia or a symbol of rank.

Comparing literature

Zirngibl, Manfred A., Seltene afrikanische Kurzwaffen, Grafenau 1983, p. 107, ill. 121