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This beautifully wrought knife served as a symbol of political authority among the Ngala. Quite literally it signified the power of life and death for its form was derived from that of an executioner's knife.
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Details
- Title: Knife
- Date Created: c. 1900
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 57.2 cm (22 1/2 in.); Blade: 41.4 cm (16 5/16 in.)
- Type: Arms and Armor
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1916.743
- Medium: Iron, wood, copper alloy, upholstery studs, plant fibers, and rawhide
- Department: African Art
- Culture: Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangala, early 20th Century
- Credit Line: Gift of J. H. Wade
- Collection: African Art
- Accession Number: 1916.743
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