Farming / Work Blade, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood
Early 20th century

This piece is a functional object that wears an ingenious design and few extra embellishments that make it worthy of interest above other rudimentary tools. As it was not intended to be a symbol of prestige (as so many others represented here were), it lacks incisions on the blade, decoration of the handle, or precision smithing. However, the asymmetrical design is quite ingenious and the blade is forged with deliberate details, such as a ridge following the leading edge, and seemingly minor geometric outlines near the handle that pointedly elevate its silhouette.

In the hand, it feels buoyant and effective for light, repetitive work. The leading edge of the blade was once sharpened, and shows ample signs of use; overall the iron shows extensive pitting. The handle is a replacement but the blade still has a ferocious attractiveness. 

A number of blades similar to this one (albeit with decorated handles), were published in Elsen's Tribal Art Monographs, Vol. 1 N°3 (2000), and Westerdijk's Ijzerwerk van Central-Afrika (1975). Elsen's pieces (here) were described as work knives that bore only a slight resemblance to the prestige knives they were imitating. Additionally, a very similar sickle is in the collection to the AMNH, attributed to the Chaga of Tanzania (here)

16.5 in :: 42 cm

InventoryID #13-553

SOLD