Ceremonial axe

Object Details

Luba artist

Label Text

Among peoples in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and northern Angola, figurative axes were symbols of political office. The head of this axe shows the blade as a tonguelike extension.

Description

Iron axe blade issues from the mouth of a wood kneeling female figure atop a handle wrapped in a copper strip. The female figure has hands above the breasts, a lobed hairstyle and raised scarification on the chest and torso.

Provenance

Belgian colonial collection, before 1950

Pierre Loos, Brussels, 1981

Emile M. Deletaille, Brussels, 1981 to 1985

Exhibition History

Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 4, 2017-ongoing

Content Statement

As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.

Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Museum purchase

Late 19th-early 20th century

Object number

85-15-14

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

Wood, iron, copper, brass tack

Dimensions

H x W x D: 34 x 10.2 x 9.5 cm (13 3/8 x 4 x 3 3/4 in.)

Geography

Democratic Republic of the Congo

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

Exhibition

Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts

On View

NMAfA, Second Level Gallery (2193)

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Leadership

male

female

Record ID

nmafa_85-15-14

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7a6beef89-26d9-4aaf-8ef6-3a84708fb8c3