Ngbandi Sickle Sword
Sickle Sword
Ngbandi / Ngombe / Doko or surrounding neighbors
Équateur District, Congo Free State - Équateur Province, Belgian Congo (Équateur, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Late 19th - Early 20th century (ca. 1890 - 1920)
Iron, wood, copper
Blade: 46,7cm
Hilt & Blade: 61,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2016
Collection Number: 132
Ex. American Art Market (2016)
This sickle sword originates from within the Congo jungles by the Ngbandi or surrounding neighbors. A vicious looking weapon that was actually a prestige object carried in ceremonies or used as an indication of rank. They also functioned as currency during trade and matrimonial transactions.
The double- edged curved iron blade has a forged medial ridge. At the base is an offset central fuller flanked by a series of three dashed line etchings that continue for half of the blade's length. The wooden carved hilt is flared at the pommel with the central grip bound in copper strips. A very good example in complete condition and intact. The predecessor older examples had no decoration to them, having longer blade lengths, and were used as instruments of war.
[1] “Beauté Fatale. Armes d’ Afrique Centrale”. 1992. Page 75: #48
[2] Fischer, Werner., Zirngibl, Manfred. 1978. “African Weapons”. Page 84. Cat. 144
[3] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=7140
[4] https://africanarms.com/gallery.html?9-ngbandi-sabre-60-cm-75-cm