Two knives · D. R. Congo, Mbole · ID: 3041909
Jens Jahn, Munich, Germany Jahn, Munich, Germany
b) Claire & Frederick Mebel, New York, USA
Description
metal, wood, a) pointed blade with elaborate incised ornaments on either side, wooden handle wrapped in metal wire, provided with heavy knob, min. dam., slight signs of usage and corrosion, base, l: 39,5 cm; b) similar design, handle enveloped in brass sheet, slight traces of corrosion and usage, base, l: 48 cm;
such knives usually have heavy steel butts, some weigh up to 2,5 kg. There are several theories about the usage: as currency, as drop-knives which were dropped butt first from trees on the enemy passing beneath, to increase the impact force or as decorative element.
The object Two knives with the object ID 3041909 was last part of the auction 85th Tribal Art Auction at March 4, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 412 achieved a sales price of EUR 600.
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Comparing literature
Zirngibl, Manfred A. & Werner Fischer, Afrikanische Waffen, Passau 1978, p. 121, ill. 212
Publications
b) Westerdijk, P., African metal implements, weapons, tools and regalia, New York 1984, p. 35, ill. 149