Axe "kilonda" - Tetela/Songye - DR Congo

• Very beautiful kilonda axe

• Ethnicity: Tetela/Songye

• Democratic Republic of Congo

• Dimensions: 39 × 20 cm

• Materials: wrought iron, red copper, wood, monitor lizard skin, tapestry tacks

• Period: late 19th / early 20th century

• Weight: 390 g

• Provenance: Former Michel Maes collection, Maastricht, Netherlands (property developer of the Van Oÿs Castle, Maastricht); Hessink's Auction House, Maastricht, Netherlands

— Description: This Songye-axe features several rare characteristics for a kilonda. First, the blade is forged in the Tetela-Kusu style. That is, it has several lines of curves at the end of the blade, not found on all kilonda axes. Secondly, although many Songye axes have monitor lizard skin on the wood, this one is fully covered with tapestry tacks across its surface. As for the blade, its notches are truly very deep and beautifully executed. The photographs speak for themselves. And there is no doubt that it dates from the late 19th century.
Prestigious provenance from the real estate developer Michel Maes.

— Ethnicity: This type of axe, called kilonda, was mainly produced by the Songye, but also by the Nsapo and the Luba. Although their shape largely drew on functional weaponry, they were above all symbols of prestige and ceremony. Songye blacksmiths are renowned as the greatest masters of the forge and used both hot and cold forging techniques to ornament these blades (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003; Lefebvre & De Waele, Kilonda, 2011; Neyt, Songye, 2004).

— The axe is sold with its invoice from Hessink's auction house.

— Careful delivery, insured and with tracking number. (Bpost)