Knife

Object Details

Label Text

The precious copper from which this blade was made and its elaborate form, detailed piercing and incised decoration suggest it served as a ceremonial or status object rather than as a practical weapon or tool.

Description

Knife with a copper spatulate blade with two circular piercings near the tip, two diamond piercings at mid-blade and a divided serated shaft. The handle is covered in reptile skin, possibly monitor lizard.

Provenance

J.P. Bernard-Lorgues collection, before 1997

Glen Rhodes, McLean, Virginia, -- to 2002

Exhibition History

African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (deinstalled July 29, 2019)

African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2010-November 13, 2013

Published References

Hurst, Norman. 1997. Ngola: The Weapon as Authority, Identity, and Ritual Object in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cambridge: Hurst Gallery, pp. 24-25, no. 29.

Content Statement

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Data Source

National Museum of African Art

Maker

Ngbandi artist

Yakoma artist

Date

Late 19th-early 20th century

Credit Line

Gift of Dr. Glen Rhodes

Medium

Iron, copper, reptile skin, wood

Dimensions

H x W x D: 35.6 x 7.5 x 2.8 cm (14 x 2 15/16 x 1 1/8 in.)

Type

Sculpture