Ceremonial Knife, aelo
Hemba / Luba / Kusu / Holoholo, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood
Early 20th century

The Luba Epic explains how kingship and metal-smithing were introduced by the cultural hero Mbidi Kiluwe. Brandishing a ceremonial axe therefore implies a recollection of royal origins and prerogatives (Elsen, Fatal Beauty [black edition], 2013. Roberts & Roberts, Luba: Visions of Africa, 2007. Verswijver, G., De Palmenaer, E., Baeke, V., and Bouttiaux-Ndiaye, A., eds. Masterpieces from Central Africa, 1996. Visonà, Poynor, & Cole, A History of Art in Africa, 2008; Westerdijk, African Metal Implements, 1984).

16 in :: 40.5 cm

InventoryID #13-2239

Price on Request