Asymmetric Discoid Knife Epalang
Mbuun / Yanzi / Ngul / Hungaan, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood, copper, brass
Late 19th / early 20th century

The epalang type is unique for its strange design, and the undulating and exaggerated shape of this piece is characteristic of the best examples. Research suggests that these were used ceremonially, as prestige symbols and by medicine men, but said research is unfortunately scant. Asymmetric epalang discoid knives were collected from the Dzing, Hungaan, Lwer, Mbuun, Ngul, Pindi, and Yanzi (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003).

This example has an inventory number painted on the wire handle wrap that denotes xxxx / 25. This is in the style of the famous ethnographer Augustin Krämer (Stuttgart, Germany), who used white numbers and a slash ( / ) before the date. Importantly, the "2" is written in an extremely similar fashion to Krämer's. Many thanks to Bruno Claeesens for the tip, and for his invaluable database of inscriptions, labels, and stickers, fround here.

11.75 :: 30 cm

SOLD