Rare knife from Congo

katana · 17th May 2007, 11:28 AM

Luc, I have never seen this type before...

...the handle is great.....with that length would it be used two handed? Would this be a functional piece or ceremonial ?

Regards David

Luc LEFEBVRE · 17th May 2007, 01:39 PM

Well... Mbuun, Dzing, Yanzi & Lele are from the same stylistic area for these asymetric knives.
I have a bigger one from the Hungaan (see picture below).
Lew, the handle is made of wood in fact.
It is 42cm long.
Used for ???
I thought of a sculptor knife, but I don't think the handle is strong enough, I have to search...surely ceremonial with a such worked handle, but the blade is a good one.
Luc

Flavio · 17th May 2007, 09:30 PM

Hello Luc, to be honest I don't see so many differences between the second one you posted and the others two from Mambele.be and the hungaan are quite different. More as you know the four tribes are all very near and, if I'm not wrong, all are in the "area of influence" of the kuba. What i'm trying to say is that I never seen (but my experience it's limited) a lele knife - sword - dagger or spear even if the other artistic demonstrations (as masks or statues) are well known. Maybe these kind of knives are common of all these tribes and difficult to discern the real provenience.

17th May 2007, 01:39 PM	#2
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Well... Mbuun, Dzing, Yanzi & Lele are from the same stylistic area for these asymetric knives. I have a bigger one from the Hungaan (see picture below). Lew, the handle is made of wood in fact. It is 42cm long. Used for ??? I thought of a sculptor knife, but I don't think the handle is strong enough, I have to search...surely ceremonial with a such worked handle, but the blade is a good one. Luc Attached Images

17th May 2007, 11:28 AM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Luc, I have never seen this type before... ...the handle is great.....with that length would it be used two handed? Would this be a functional piece or ceremonial ? Regards David

17th May 2007, 09:30 PM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Luc, to be honest I don't see so many differences between the second one you posted and the others two from Mambele.be and the hungaan are quite different. More as you know the four tribes are all very near and, if I'm not wrong, all are in the "area of influence" of the kuba. What i'm trying to say is that I never seen (but my experience it's limited) a lele knife - sword - dagger or spear even if the other artistic demonstrations (as masks or statues) are well known. Maybe these kind of knives are common of all these tribes and difficult to discern the real provenience.