Mixed lot (3 items): Tetela, Mbole and others, Dem. Rep. of Congo: Three ornamental and prestige knives with heavy iron ‘counterweights’
Mixed lot (3 items): Tetela, Mbole and others, Dem. Rep. of Congo: Three ornamental and prestige knives with heavy iron ‘counterweights’
Three typical knives of the Tetela, Mbole and related tribes in central Congo. The double-edged, symmetrically curved iron blades are forged with very similar, elegant forms, and with accentuated middle ridge on both sides. The small, concave wooden hilts are wrapped in copper bands. Heavy, thick, facetted cast iron ‘counterweights’ are attached to the bottom of the wooden hilts. It is as yet unclear whether such ‘weighty’ knife types were also of practical use (as a hammer, anvil, etc.) beyond their impressive prestige value.
Early 20th century; L: 49.5 cm, 48 cm, 46 cm.
All three knives have old collection numbers on the blades, which are rusty as a result of improper storage. (ME)
Provenance: Collection of a German missionary.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
26.05.2015 - 15:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 375.-
- Estimate:
-
EUR 600.- to EUR 800.-
Mixed lot (3 items): Tetela, Mbole and others, Dem. Rep. of Congo: Three ornamental and prestige knives with heavy iron ‘counterweights’
Three typical knives of the Tetela, Mbole and related tribes in central Congo. The double-edged, symmetrically curved iron blades are forged with very similar, elegant forms, and with accentuated middle ridge on both sides. The small, concave wooden hilts are wrapped in copper bands. Heavy, thick, facetted cast iron ‘counterweights’ are attached to the bottom of the wooden hilts. It is as yet unclear whether such ‘weighty’ knife types were also of practical use (as a hammer, anvil, etc.) beyond their impressive prestige value.
Early 20th century; L: 49.5 cm, 48 cm, 46 cm.
All three knives have old collection numbers on the blades, which are rusty as a result of improper storage. (ME)
Provenance: Collection of a German missionary.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 26.05.2015 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 20.05. - 26.05.2015 |
** Purchase price incl. charges and taxes
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