56 - Prestigious axe

Prestigious axe with beautiful head Wood, wrought iron, metal, old honey-brown patina, wear marks, a few small chips Luba, Democratic Republic of Congo 44.5 x 18 cm Among the Luba, certain ceremonial axes were true emblems of power, transmitted within lineages or used during gatherings linked to political and ritual authority. Their function went far beyond mere utilitarian use: they were used to showcase the prestige and assert the status of the dignitaries who held them. This axe features a remarkably restrained top head. 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 reflect the expertise of the Luba workshops. The overall impression of stability and restraint reinforces 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 Balubas. Author of : Mahauden, Charles, Kisongokimo - Chasse et magie chez les Balubas, Paris, Flammarion, coll. "L'Aventure vécue", 1965, 252 p.