Knife
Bandia - Nzakara - Azande - Mangbetu or neighboring people
Orientale Province, Congo Free State - Belgian Congo (Upper Uele, Democratic Republic of the Congo) - Upper Ubangi- Ubangi- Shari, French Equatorial Africa (Haut- Mbomou, Central African Republic)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1930)
Steel, ivory, wood, leather
Blade: 11cm
Hilt & Blade: 16,8cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 18,4cm
Collection Date: 2019
Collection Number: 451

Ex. French Art Market(2019)

This is a fine example of a knife originating from the Bandia, Nzakara, Azande, Mangbetu or closely neighboring people between the Central African Republic and the Congo. Smaller in size, it was likely a woman's knife used for everyday utility.

The steel blade is straight, double- edged with a medial ridge that separates two outside fullers with beveled edges. Carved hilt of elephant ivory having a bulbous pommel. Sheath with a wooden interior covered in embossed leather. There is a braided leather loop on the rear side for attachment to either a belt or arm loop. A small knife of charming character.

[1] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=8255

[2] https://www.colleconline.com/fr/items/161044/art-antiquites-africain-armes-nzakara-001

[3] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-rare-congolese-dagger-102-c-ca346abbe8

[4] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/congo-knife-with-ivory-handle-mangbetu-111-c-4e34e459c2?objectID=119166931&algIndex=undefined&queryID=ef9f8987c0264cc7dabf737fd9fd51b0