Short Sword in Scabbard
Kete, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood, leather (pelt), brass, vegetal fiber
Early 20th century
This distinctive short sword originates from the Kete, and bears many similarities to blades of the Luba/Kuba and Wongo/Lele. Examples with a scabbard are extremely uncommon.
The Kete are a mosaic of several populations. Some lived in the Congo with the Twa (pygmies) since before the 15th century, while others arrived later in different waves of migration. The northern Kete live on the borderland of the Kuba kingdom, and in the last three centuries, some Kete groups and their culture were incorporated into the Kuba kingdom. Other Kete groups remained independent (Felix, 100 Peoples of Zaire and Their Sculpture, 1987).
22.5 in :: 57 cm
InventoryID #13-2995
Price on Request
