Sickle blade uggo
Momvu / western Mangbetu / Makere / Ngbele / Bodo, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood
Late 19th / early 20th century

This abstract asymmetrical blade with gorgeous incisions was known as uggo among the Momvu. Used as a symbol of prestige by powerful women, this knife type originates predominantly from the Momvu, who live along the southern bank of the Maika River in northeastern D.R. Congo. Similar knives were also collected from neighboring groups, such as the Bodo, Makere, and Mangbele (Berardi, Standing on Ceremony, 2004; Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003; Elsen, Fatal Beauty [black], 2013). 

This piece was published in Heinrich Westerdijk's 1975 book Ijzerwerk van Centraal-Afrika (page 83). Labeled "W1," it appears to be the first piece assigned an inventory number from his collection. 

19.25 in :: 49 cm

InventoryID #13-1626

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