Ceremonial knife with curved perforated blade and ivory handle with carved human head on the butt. [SM 08/06/2007]

Collection type: Object
Description: Ceremonial knife with curved perforated blade and ivory handle with carved human head on the butt. [SM 08/06/2007]
Long description: The blade initially projects in line with the handle, but then curves at just over 90 degrees to a tapering tip. It is double edged and has two blunt ended projections extending from the visible tang. These projections are irregularly hexagonal in section. The outer edge curves out slightly, the inner edge is very concave. Three large holes run down the surface of the blade The blade is blackened in the centre on both surfaces. The handle is made of ivory and consists of three distinctly carved sections. The first is flared at both ends; the second forms the grip and has carved ridges; the third is the butt which is carved in the form of a human head. [SM 08/06/2007]
Geographical reference: Congo, Democratic Republic of
Africa > Central Africa > Congo, Democratic Republic of; Cameroon
Africa > Central Africa > Cameroon
Cultural groups: Mangbetu; Bangwa
Person: Field collector Samuel Peach Powell; PRM source Samuel Peach Powell
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1940
Date collected: By 1940
Acquisition information: Loaned: 1940
Materials and processes: Material Iron Metal, Material Animal Ivory Tooth, Process Forged (Metal), Process Carved
Dimensions: Length: max 336 mm, Width: max 159 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1940.7.025

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