Ceremonial adze "khaandu"
R. D. Congo, Yaka
Vendu
1 300 €
Provenance
Guy van Rijn, Brussels, BelgiumTaille
H: 29,5 cm
H: 11.6 inch
Description
wood, partly encrusted patina, remains of polychrome paint, slightly corroded metal, shaft partly wrapped in copper sheet, crowned by a human head with tribe-typical facial features and headgear, an iron blade emerging from its mouth, min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, on base;
insignia of a headman (“leemba”), used to be carried over the shoulder, when visiting lineage members. It could even have been part of the insignias of a regional chief or a “ngaanga ngombu” diviner.