Trio of Scarification Blades
From left: Ngbandi, Bangala, Kuba , D.R. Congo
Iron, brass wire
Late 19th century

These 19th century miniature blades served a number of purposes as tools and fashion accessories. The long, thin handle could be thrust into the hair, leaving the top piece to be displayed for style. The sharp razor was used for shaping and cutting hair and cutting the skin to produce patterns of cicatrisation (scarification) or keloids (raised individual marks). In addition the inherent value of iron, the specialized form of these hairpin-razors gave them meaning and reflected a woman's status. Indeed, Sieber wrote that some women "without one or more razors in her hair would not be considered completely dressed" (African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972).

Although the most frequently stated purpose of scarification "was to beautify and to eroticize," scarification extended into many other realms of understanding (Nooter & Roberts, Memory, Luba Art, and the Making of History, 1996). Among various central African cultures, the widespread practice of scarification was considered to be part of the social process, indicating an individual's affiliation with a community or cultural group, or membership in a male or female secret initiatory society. Scarification marks indicated a person's rank and social status or could indicate one's marital status, or whether or not a woman had borne children. In addition to specific social, ritual, or symbolic roles, scarification could be also viewed as an aesthetic activity to beautify oneself and enhance an erotic sensibility (Dr. Daniel Mato, Professor Emeritus of Art History, The University of Calgary, pers. Communication, 2009).

Among the Luba (who called these blades Lusimbo), scarification blades were also bound or forged together to make iron bow stands to hold a chief's bow, known as Nsakakabemba (Nooter & Roberts, Memory: Luba Art and the Making of History, 1996).

These scarification blades come from the famous Art Curial auction of the Alex Van Opstal collection in 2008. The lot of 48 scarification blades was estimated at €300 - 500 and realized €6,196. You can view the lot here.

The Museum for World Cultures (Gothenburg, Stockholm) has two scarification blades in its collection that were acquired in 1890 that are closely related to two of these examples, located here and here.

This trio was collected between 1902 and 1910.

The photograph of a scarification blade in its original context is reproduced from De Waele & Lefebvre, Couteaux de Scarifications Du Congo, 2007 and is © Danny De Waele.

From left: 5 in, 7.5 in, 5.75 in :: 12.5 cm, 19 cm, 14.5 cm

InventoryID #13-520

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