Pair of Traditional Billhooks
D.R. Congo,
Forged iron, wood
First half of the 20th century
These traditional billhooks are composed of substantial, sharpened pieces of hand-forged iron. Holding it in the hand, it immediately becomes clear how effective they would be as agricultural implements, given their considerable weight yet excellent balance (the larger piece weighs 32.6 oz / 924 g). Many central African objects of prestige, particularly sickle blades, were powerful symbols derived from the designs of traditional tools such as these. All aspects of therse pieces were made from hand, which isn’t typical of twentieth century African tools, most of which were manufactured in Europe and imported. Collected in the D.R. Congo in the 1960s.
21 in :: 53.5 cm
17 in :: 43 cm
InventoryID #13-1169
Price on Request