Symmetrical Prestige Blade
Nkundu / Teke, D.R. Congo / Republic of Congo
Iron, wood, brass
Late 19th / early 20th century

This knife represented a potent insignia of rank and was also used as a cermonial implement. Incised parallel grooves enrich the surface, and the handle was wrapped in imported brass.

The Teke manufactured a number of knives with differently designed blades, including this type. Transported in the inter-tribal trade conducted by the Bobangi along the Zaire River during the 19th century, many weapons made in the Lower and Middle Zaire regions founds their way into the Upper Zaire and Ubangi Rivers area and vice versa, resulting in mutual influence on the weaponry produced by such southern tribes as the Teke, Kuyu, and Mbochi on the one hand and the northern Mondzombo, Libinza, and Ngombe on the other.

The Nkundu (Nkundo), who live on the western shore of Lake Tumba, north of the Konda, also manufactured blades of this type. Despite living far apart (although both along the Zaire River), both groups manufactured and used knives of this type. What their knives have in common is a large disc-shaped foot that always serves as a handle and is always covered with fine sheet brass. According to early reports, the foot served as a stand for the knife in cult rituals (Blackmun & Hautelet, Blades of Beauty and Blades of Death, 1990; Elsen/Communal, Beaute Fatale, 1992; Zirngibl, Rare African Short Weapons, 1983).

There is a split at the top of the blade in line with the incisions that likely happened close to the time of forging. However, the blade is substantial and solid, and the split does more to add character than it does to detract from the piece.

18.5 in :: 47 cm

InventoryID #13-1412

Price on Request