MC1729 Beautiful Prestige Axe Luba Shankadi Ceremonial Axe adze Congo DRC

English description below

CONGO DRC

BEAUTIFUL LUBA PRESTIGE AXE

Cephalomorphic axe
The cascading hairstyle is representative of the Shankadi style (Roberts & Roberts, 1996, page 112 fig 100)
Very nice patina of use

Figurative axes and adzes are objects of prestige possessed by those in power (kings, chiefs as well as by members of the Mbudye and mediums
They are worn across the shoulder
Like other regalia, axes cement alliances, settle debts, transfer political authority, and settle disputes (Roberts & Roberts, 2006, page 44)


The Luba are a large people of eastern DRC. Their caryatid seats, cup carriers, chiefs' sticks, arrow holders, axes, adzes and ancestor statues are very famous and among the most prized objects in African Art.


Features:

ITEM TYPE: Axe
ETHNIC GROUP: Luba
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Congo DRC
MATERIAL: Wood, metal (copper)
DIMENSIONS: 43.5 cm
CONDITION: Average
(see photos)
The base is NOT included

Bibliography - Bibliography

- LUBA, at the sources of Zaire, François NEYT, Editions du Musée Dapper, 1993

- LUBA, Visions of Africa, Editions 5 Continents, Mary Nooter Roberts and Allen F. Roberts, 2006
- MEMORY, Luba Art and the Making of History, Mary Nooter Roberts, 1996

Figurative axes and adzes are prestigious objects owned by those in power (kings, chiefs) as well as members of the Mbudye and mediums.

They are worn across the shoulder

Like other regalia, axes solidify alliances, settle debts, transfer political authority and close disputes (Roberts & Roberts, page 44)