Ceremonial Axe, Kibiki or Kasolwa
Luba / Hemba, D.R. Congo
Wood, iron
Early 20th century
Beautifully wrought ceremonial axes with finely sculpted female heads belonged not only to Luba kings and chiefs but also high-ranking titleholders, female spirit mediums, secret association members, and diviners. They were worn over the shoulder to signify rank and title and were also wielded in dance and other ceremonials of the court.
Ancient axes identical to 19th century examples have been excavated in first-millennium B.C. grave sites and provide evidence for the antiquity of a political order based on metalworking technologies in the Luba area.
Luba royal emblems often combined utilitarian and symbolic purposes. Royal axes provided metaphors such as “breaking a path” or “clearing a field for cultivation,” that were useful in political circumstances. The Luba Epic explains how kingship and metal-smithing were introduced by the cultural hero Mbidi Kiluwe. Brandishing a ceremonial axe therefore implies a recollection of royal origins and prerogatives (Elsen, Fatal Beauty [black edition], 2013. Roberts & Roberts, Luba: Visions of Africa, 2007. Verswijver, G., De Palmenaer, E., Baeke, V., and Bouttiaux-Ndiaye, A., eds. Masterpieces from Central Africa, 1996. Visonà, Poynor, & Cole, A History of Art in Africa, 2008; Westerdijk, African Metal Implements, 1984).
13.75 in :: 35 cm
InventoryID #13-1900
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