Knife
Knife with skin covered handle, geometric designs on blade. handle with wrapped leather.
7/22/2026: of rare form, the spatulate iron blade decorated with incised punctulate patterns, medial ridge, and four inlaid copper plugs surmounted by an openwork forte, a metal-wrapped wooden handle, and a fetish ball of animal fur, the whole exhibiting signs of age and use. (From appraisal document). IS
- Object: Knife
- Artist: -
- Circa: -
- Dimensions: 22" length
- Culture Area: Africa; North Central Zaire
- Cultural Group: Kuba, Ngbandi or related group.
- Cultural Context: Commonly known as an Ekonda or Konda sword, this was most likely a ceremonial blade known as a prestige blade. While not intended for combat, prestige blades were symbols of wealth and affluence among the Konda people and their related ethnic groups (all are generally set under the umbrella ethnicity of the Bantu ethnic group).
- Donor: Dr. John D Spenst
- Catalog #: 84.032