Asymmetrical Knife with Single-Edged Blade
Tetela, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood
19th century

The design of this blade is wildly striking, with the blade deliberately positioned in an extremely asymmetrical position relative to the handle. The presence of eighteen piercings in the center of the blade is impressive and deliberately conspicuous. One of those piercings is encircled by incised dots, which likely meant something to somebody. 

Ex. Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al Thani (Qatar)

Related examples: British Museum (inv. Af,+.6214) acquired in 1893, although it left Africa earlier.

Museum of Cultural History (Oslo), Inv. UEM14421, acquired in 1905. 

Royal Museum for Central Africa (Tervuren), Inv. EO.0.0.24280, acquired in 1917. 

11.25 in :: 28.5 cm

InventoryID #13-2959

SOLD