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African Art / Works from the Swiss collection of Walter Schwab

Wednesday 13 October 2021, 05:00 PM • Milan

51

MBANZA (Mbandja) Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)

Estimate

€ 800 - 1.200

Sold

€ 768

The price includes buyer's premium

Information

46cm x 39cm
Region of the Ubangi River on the border with the Central African Republic
Throwing knife / Currency
Forged iron blade engraved on the front, traces of an “orange peel” effect on the metal due to rusting. The refined engravings on the blade are characteristic of this group’s works.
A type of knife also produced and used by neighbouring groups such as the Togbo, Ngbaka and Ngombe. It was used both as a weapon and as an object to show off during tribal ceremonies. It was also used as currency during business transactions and in wedding contracts. In this case, the iron is softer, the working of the blade is refined in a superficial way and in general lacks any covering on the handle.

Publications: Featured in:
Ballarini Roberto "La Forma Perfetta: Sulle tracce della moneta tribale africana" Milan 2009, pag. 89 and pag. 349 (638)

Literature

FISCHER WERNER & ZIRNGIBL MANFRED A., Afrikanische Waffen, Passau 1978, pag. 97, n° 169 (202);
FELIX MARC LEO, Kipinga: Throwing-Blades of Central Africa, Munchen 1991, pag. 155 (268);