Iron currency (mbili or mbili ngbaka)
Artist Unidentified
20th century
Medium/Techniqueiron
DimensionsOverall: 47 x 14.5 x 6.2 cm (18 1/2 x 5 11/16 x 2 7/16 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2552
On View
Not on viewClassificationsWarfare, hunting, fishing
Collections
Iron knives, swords, and other weapons are more than armaments; they are powerful symbols of prestige and authority. Many weapons are intricately adorned with abstract geometric patterns, figurative elements, western-made objects, and copper accents, all of which are intended to increase the status of the object's owner. In addition to the functional and ceremonial aspects of African weaponry, iron blades were excellent trade items that could function as currency.
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
mid-20th century
early 20th century
mid-20th century
mid 20th century