Knife - good - Banda/Mbugbu - DR Congo

• 'ondo' Banda/Mbugbu knife

• Democratic Republic of Congo / Central African Republic

• Max height: 41 cm

• Materials: wrought iron, plant fibers

• Period: late 19th / early 20th century

• Provenance: Swedish auction house; formerly Mats Sigelfeldt collection - Sweden; formerly Luc Lefebvre collection - France

— The 19th century, marked by turmoil, long migrations and inter-tribal wars, resulted in the Banda, formerly united, dispersing over a vast geographic area, dividing into small independent populations and ultimately speaking about fifty distinct dialects. Likewise, Banda weapons show a great diversity of styles, often diverging radically from traditional aesthetics.

— Banda knives were historically reserved for military use (to stop the advance of an enemy force, for example), but their function evolved after the 1920s to include peaceful and spiritual objectives, such as instruments for ritual dance. This metamorphosis is the combined result of the decline of conflicts in the 20th century and the Banda people’s enduring emotional attachment to their throwing knives (Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988).

— This type of knives is uncommon and highly sought after. Its raffia fiber grip, partly still present, demonstrates that this knife is very old. A very beautiful throwing knife with excellent provenance for collectors and connoisseurs ...

— Sold with the invoice from Crafoord Auktioner auction house - Lund (Sweden)

— Careful, insured delivery with tracking number.