Axe
D. R. Congo, Luba/Shankadi
n'est plus disponible
Provenance
Edouard d’Orjo de Marchovelette, Brussels, Belgium (1901 - 1985), territorial administrator, who served from 1925 till 1952 in the Belgian Congo. He collected mainly Luba and Lega objects.Didier Claes, Brussels, Belgium
Taille
H: 40 cm
H: 15.7 inch
Description
wood, slightly shiny brown patina, metal, crowned by a human head with cascade-like coiffure, the mortised blade growing out of its mouth, min. dam., small missing part (coiffure), fine cracks, metal socle;
aside their role as prestige emblems, axes carry more profound messages in Luba royal ritual. Above all they play a central role in the initiation rites of “mbudye”, an association responsible for inducting persons into royal office.The axe is the instrument used to clear the path.