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Lot No. 149

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Luba (or Baluba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: an exceptionally beautiful ornamental and prestige knife with copper blade and richly decorated wooden hilt.

Lot No. 149

Luba (or Baluba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: an exceptionally beautiful ornamental and prestige knife with copper blade and richly decorated wooden hilt.


Luba (or Baluba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: an exceptionally beautiful ornamental and prestige knife with copper blade and richly decorated wooden hilt. - Tribal Art

A rare and very beautifully crafted ornamental and prestige knife of the Luba, from the southern Congo. The double-edged blade consists of hammered copper and shows a typical Luba form. With two short projections below on both sides, broadening extensively in the middle part, and with a central point at the top. The surface of the copper blade features an almond-shaped, black coating on both sides.
The round hilt of hard, black-dyed wood is also very beautifully fashioned. With two upward projections at the sides, extending beyond the base of the blade. Additionally the hilt is offset in rings, decorated with small lozenges, zigzag lines and all-round chip-carving patterns in relief, and terminates in a flat, round pommel. An unusually impressive piece. There is no significant damage. Rare. Length: 41 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Private collection of Jos Christiaens, Bruges, Belgium.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at

06.04.2017 - 15:00

Starting bid:
EUR 600.-

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Luba (or Baluba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: an exceptionally beautiful ornamental and prestige knife with copper blade and richly decorated wooden hilt.


A rare and very beautifully crafted ornamental and prestige knife of the Luba, from the southern Congo. The double-edged blade consists of hammered copper and shows a typical Luba form. With two short projections below on both sides, broadening extensively in the middle part, and with a central point at the top. The surface of the copper blade features an almond-shaped, black coating on both sides.
The round hilt of hard, black-dyed wood is also very beautifully fashioned. With two upward projections at the sides, extending beyond the base of the blade. Additionally the hilt is offset in rings, decorated with small lozenges, zigzag lines and all-round chip-carving patterns in relief, and terminates in a flat, round pommel. An unusually impressive piece. There is no significant damage. Rare. Length: 41 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Private collection of Jos Christiaens, Bruges, Belgium.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at

Buyers hotline Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at
+43 1 515 60 200
Auction: Tribal Art
Auction type: Saleroom auction
Date: 06.04.2017 - 15:00
Location: Vienna | Palais Dorotheum
Exhibition: 01.04. - 06.04.2017

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