1: Kuba (or Bakuba), Southwest Congo: A very old and typical prestige sword of the Kuba. The long, double-edged iron blade is widened and rounded at the top. It has a middle ridge on both sides, forged ornamental lines and a decorative hole at the top in the centre. The hilt is made of wood and dyed black, with a wide, round terminal pommel and all-round lines and star motifs in relief. Some pieces broken off on the hilt as a result of age. L: 63 cm.
2: Luba, Southeast Congo: A sword/knife of the Luba with characteristic shape. With a visibly offset iron blade that elegantly widens towards the tips. The blade is double-edged and features a central décor of dotted lines as well as zigzag lines in the wider top section. This decoration is plain on one side and blackened on the other. The wooden hilt is dyed black and has a round finial. A small, old loss to the hilt. L: 58 cm.
3: Zande (or Azande), North Congo: Beautiful ornamental and prestige knife with double-edged iron blade. The blade is decorated on both sides, just outside the middle axis, with four long lines in relief. To the right of these ornamental lines runs a parallel decoration of flat transversal lines. With brown concave wooden hilt. A minor loss to the hilt. L: 45 cm.
All three objects: Between the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Polish Private Collection.

Lit.: 'Afrikanische Waffen' by Fischer & Zirngibl, fig. 73, 89, 240, 243, 286, 288.