Miniature Knife
Bomboma / Loi / Lobala, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood, copper, brass
Early 20th century

This small knife with a squared tip comes from the Lobala and smaller neighboring cultures.  was used as an object of currency. The textured surface is an attribute of Lobala worksmanship, and one such object was photographed with a Bomboma woman, who was also carrying a Lobala double sickle blade (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003). 

Ballarini describes this type as an object of currency (The Perfect Form, 2009). 

8.25 in :: 21 cm

InventoryID #13-1961

Price on Request