Scarification / Razor Blade
Ngbandi / Yakoma, Central African Republic / D.R. Congo
Iron
19th century

This miniature blade served a number of purposes as a tool and a fashion accessory. The long, thin blade could be thrust into the hair, leaving the top piece to be displayed for style. The sharp razor was used for shaping and cutting hair and cutting the skin to produce patterns of cicatrisation (scarification) or keloids (raised individual marks). In addition the inherent value of iron, the specialized form of hairpin-razors gave them meaning and reflected a woman's status. Indeed, Sieber wrote that some women "without one or more razors in her hair would not be considered completely dressed" (African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972).

Although the most frequently stated purpose of scarification "was to beautify and to eroticize," scarification extended into many other realms of understanding (Nooter & Roberts, Memory, Luba Art, and the Making of History, 1996). Among various central African cultures, the widespread practice of scarification was considered to be part of the social process, indicating an individual's affiliation with a community or cultural group, or membership in a male or female secret initiatory society. Scarification marks indicated a person's rank and social status or could indicate one's marital status, or whether or not a woman had borne children. In addition to specific social, ritual, or symbolic roles, scarification could be also viewed as an aesthetic activity to beautify oneself and enhance an erotic sensibility (Dr. Daniel Mato, Professor Emeritus of Art History, The University of Calgary, pers. Communication, 2009).

This scarification blade was collected between 1902 and 1910, and comes from the famous Art Curial auction of the Alex Van Opstal collection in 2008. One lot of 48 scarification blades was estimated at €300 - 500 and realized €6,196. You can view the lot here.
 

7 in :: 18 cm

InventoryID #13-1981

SOLD