Short sword (basakpwa)
Artist Unidentified
20th century
Object PlaceDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Medium/TechniqueIron, copper, wood
DimensionsOverall: 31.5 x 10 x 4.5 cm (12 3/8 x 3 15/16 x 1 3/4 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2550
On View
Not on viewClassificationsWarfare, hunting, fishing
Collections
This short sword, or basakpwa, would have been owned by an wealthy older man. Although the shape of the blade is similar to Kuba knives, this blade is split right before it enters the copper-wrapped handle. Both the blade shape and the style of the handle are typical of pieces made by Yakoma smiths, who were renowned for their metalwork throughout northern Democratic Republic of Congo and southern Central African Republic. It can be difficult to discern the origin of a particular weapon because these highly valued pieces were frequently traded.
ProvenanceGeneviève McMillan (b. 1922 - d. 2008), Cambridge, MA; 2008, to the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation, Cambridge; 2009, gift of the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)
mid 20th century