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MILLON
165
-
Prestigious axe with a very fine head
Wood, wrought iron, me…
See original version (French)
165
-
Prestigious axe with a very fine head
Wood, wrought iron, me…
See original version (French)
Estimate €300 - €500
Voluntary lot
Description
Prestigious axe
with a very fine head
Wood, wrought iron, metal, old honey and brown patina, marks of use, a few small chips
Luba, Democratic Republic of Congo
44.5 x 18 cm
Among the Luba, certain ceremonial axes were veritable emblems of power passed down within lineages or used during gatherings linked to political and ritual authority. Their function went far beyond mere utility: they were used to display prestige and assert the status of the dignitaries who held them.
This axe features a remarkable top head treated with great formal restraint. The elongated face, the balance between the mass of the wood and the finesse of the metal blade, and the quality of the patinated surfaces all reflect the expertise of the Luba workshops. The overall impression is one of stability and restraint, reinforcing the timeless character of the object.
Provenance :
Collected in Katanga (Belgian Congo) between 1952 and 1970 by Charles Mahauden, a Belgian colonial administrator nicknamed Kisongokimo by the Grand Chief of the Baluba.
Author of : Mahauden, Charles, Kisongokimo - Chasse et magie chez les Balubas, Paris, Flammarion, coll. "L'Aventure vécue", 1965, 252 p.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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