57 - Prestigious axe

Prestigious axe with beautiful head Wood, brass, wrought iron, old honey-brown patina, wear marks Luba, Democratic Republic of Congo 41.5 × 17 cm Prestigious Luba axes held an important place among the insignia associated with power, social rank and the representation of lineage authorities. More symbolic than utilitarian, they accompanied chiefs, dignitaries or ritual specialists on ceremonies and public events linked to the prestige and memory of ancestors. The quality of the carving played an essential role in the value of these ceremonial objects. This example is distinguished by the presence of an anthropomorphic head sculpted with care and mastery. The refinement of the face, the balance of proportions and the richness of the patina reinforce the sculptural dimension of this work. The combination of wood and metal, combined with the overall slenderness of the composition, lends this axe a sober elegance and a particularly assertive presence. 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.