Ritual adze and prestige object · D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3050143

Name: Ritual adze and prestige object
SKU: 3050143
Price: 2300 EUR
Availability: SoldOut

sold EUR 2,300

Provenance

Alexander Kubetz (1946-2023), Munich, Germany

Size

L: 45,5 cm (shaft) / 29 cm (blade)

L: 17.9 inch (shaft) / 11.4 inch (blade)

Description

wood, copper alloy (sheet and inserts), steel, base

This cult axe is published on the cover of the standard work on African short weapons and shields “panga na visu” by M. Zirngibl and A. Kubetz. In the book it is listed on page 217 as fig. 522.

The shaft and anthropomorphic headpiece of this adze is covered with thin copper sheet, the axe blade decorated with elaborate copper inserts. Such prestigious objects were only worn over the shoulder by high-ranking tribal leaders at ritual festivals.

The object Ritual adze and prestige object with the object ID 3050143 was part of the auction 101st Auction on November 11, 2023. The object with the lot number 83 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,300 with an asking price of EUR 1,200.

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