Double Sickle Blade, bango or bwagogambanza
Lobala / Mondzombo, D.R. Congo
Copper, wood
Early 20th century

In abstract human form, the Bango blade displays symmetry and sophistication. Elsen describes the function of this blade type as "luxury weapons for notables and chiefs." They were also used ceremonially, notably in initiation rites for young men. The small circular imprints on the surface of this blade indicate its origin from the Lobala, rather than the Ngbaka or Bonjo, who also created a very similar blade (Gosseau, Tribal Arms Monographs Vol. 1 Nº2 , 1997).

Another copper example was published in Fatal Beauty, plate 79 (2013), and is quite similar to this piece.

Mounted on a custom display stand, pictured below. 

21.25 in :: 54 cm

InventoryID #13-1099

SOLD