Emambele Prestige Knife
Mangbetu, D.R. Congo
Iron, ivory
Early 20th century

The most famous of the Mangbetu's prestige knives was the Emambele, the sharp-angled sickle-shaped knife with two or three holes. Its hilt was made of a variety of materials, including brass, wood, ivory, and iron. Many of the carved handles were made by a different man than the blacksmith, who created the blade. They were considered important marks of distinction and were conspicuously worn (Schildkrout & Keim, African Reflections: Art from Northeastern Zaire, 1990).

This elongated type might be related to neighboring groups such as the Budu and Baali. A closely related example was published in De Waele & Lefebvre, Mangbetu: Sickle Knives and Daggers, 2008. 

16 in :: 40.5 cm

InventoryID #13-2009

SOLD