Knife

Accession Number
1998/1.128

Title
Knife

Artist(s)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
metal and wood

Dimensions
8 11/16 in x 1 3/4 in (22.07 cm x 4.45 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Susan B. and John F. Ullrich


Subject matter
The janus-faced handle of this knife is similar to other objects created by Luba and Songye peoples. As many peoples from this region (what is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) interacted in complex social, economic, and political ways, artistic traditions likely moved between these groups as well. To try and attribute this object to one people may not be possible and in doing so may erase the complex history this object may have. 

References Cited: 
Berardi, Marianne. 2004. Standing on ceremony: traditional African arms from the Donna L. and Robert H. Jackson Collection. Cleveland: The Western Reserve Historical Society.
Hurst, Norman. 1997. Ngola: The Weapon as Authority, Identity, and Ritual Object in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cambridge, MA: Hurst Gallery.

Physical Description
A knife with a narrow wooden handle ending in a janus-faced pommel. The slightly curved blade is decorated with a pattern of diagonal lines along one side. 

Primary Object Classification
Arms and Armor

Primary Object Type
knife

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
ceremonial weapons
cutting tools
hand tools
knife

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted