Throwing knife ·  D. R. Congo, Azande · ID: 3041171

Description

metal, partly open worked blade with four appendages and punched decorations, handle wrapped in reptile skin and copper wire, min. dam., slight traces of corrosion and abrasion;
the throwing knives of the Azande have quite good flight characteristics. The four points create an ideal center of gravity. It is said by Africans that these knives have the ability to spin across the surface of a shield and around behind, thus injuring the man holding the shield. Today, this is considered to be just a legend but significant in that it shows the fear raised by such uncanny weapons.

The object Throwing knife with the object ID 3041171 was last part of the auction 84th Tribal Art Auction at November 5, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 367.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Fischer, Werner & Manfred A. Zirngibl, Afrikanische Waffen, Passau 1978, p. 57, ill. 75