Anthropomorphic Prestige Knife
Teke, D.R. Congo / Rep. of Congo / Gabon
Copper, wood
Early 20th century

This special knife adorned with a head carved in the classic Teke style was used as a prestige object by chiefs and the nobility. Other Teke objects such as neckrests, adzes, and flywhisks were adorned with heads and reserved for the same elites. It follows the form of a functional Teke work knife (one pictured below from the Musée du Quai Branly, 71.1899.62.10), but the carved head and the copper blade denote its elevated status. The coiffure and beard are burnished to add contrast.

The Teke people settled in a territory lying across the Republic of Congo, the D.R. Congo, and Gabon. During the 15^th century, they were integrated into the Tio kingdom, but attained independence in the 17^th century. Today, they live in villages led by a clan elder known as Mfumu, who answers to a heritary land-chief called Mfumu na tzee. Their economy is mainly based on farming maize, millet, and tobacco, but they are also skilled fishermen and traders. They believe in a supreme God, Nzambi, whose favors can be obtained with the help of tutelary spirits (Bacquart, The Tribal Arts of Africa, 1998; Felix, 100 Peoples of Zaire and Their Sculpture, 1987).  

Decommissioned from the Pengsjö Museum (Vännäs, Sweden), inv. #10937.       

12 in :: 30.5 cm

InventoryID #13-2041

SOLD