Need help to identify a knife from Congo

[Sajen]

Have get today some Congo knives from a german auction house, three from them I am able to determine but one I never have seen before and can't find it in my books. I would me more as beholden when someone would be able to help me. Here some pictures, the piece is approx. 40 cm long.

[colin henshaw]

Hi Detlef

Sorry to be negative ... but this piece doesn't look right to me. The carved figure is quite crude, and from the images it looks stuck onto the blade with some sort of pitch or tar. Could the blade have started out life as a spearhead ?

Perhaps a made for selling object ?

But I'm not an expert, so might be mistaken.

Regards
Colin

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Hi Detlef

Sorry to be negative ... but this piece doesn't look right to me. The carved figure is quite crude, and from the images it looks stuck onto the blade with some sort of pitch or tar. Could the blade have started out life as a spearhead ?

Perhaps a made for selling object ?

But I'm not an expert, so might be mistaken.

Regards
Colin

Hi Colin,

thank you very much! I've asked so I am thankful for your answer and you will be correct, I've get yesterday already a mail from a member who told me that it is a fantasy product. But your suggestion that it could be a spearhead seems plausible. And yes, the handle is attached by some sort of pitch. Could be worked for selling purpose but already some time ago, the piece coming with three other quite good pieces from a german auction house. Maybe from a small collection and when it is like this I am not the first person who get "duped".

Best regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Sajen

..., the piece coming with three other quite good pieces from a german auction house.

Here a picture together with the other pieces I've won by the auction.

[Miguel]

Hi Detlef,

Nice little collection. I love Congolese weapons and although I do not know that much about them, to me, they are the embodiment of ethnographic weapons If I had my time over again that is what I would study and collect.
Having said that I have searched for a knife like the first one you posted and have to agree with Colin but the other three look like the real thing to me and could be Saka, Mangbetu and Zande although more knowledgeable members might think differently. Thank you for shaing I love them.
Regards
Miguel

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Miguel

.... and could be Saka, Mangbetu and Zande although more knowledgeable members might think differently. Thank you for shaing I love them.

Hi Miguel,

thank you very much! To my knowledge you have them correct identified!

Best regards,
Detlef