Zoomorphic Ceremonial Knife
Topoke, Central Eastern D.R. Congo
Iron, wood
Early 20th century

The knives that the Topoke (Eso) and Mbole carried during rituals had very unusual zoomorphic shapes, and no two examples seem to be the same. Berardi describes them as “prestige scepters,” and like the piece illustrated in Standing on Ceremony, the teeth on this example are razor sharp (2004). Unfortunately, very little additional information is known about this type (Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga Na Visu, 2009).

19.25 in :: 49 cm

InventoryID #13-2575

Price on Request