Ritual adze and prestige object · D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3050143
sold
EUR 2,300
Provenance
Alexander Kubetz (1946-2023), Munich, GermanySize
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.