Court sword
20th century
Object PlaceDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Medium/Techniquemetal, wood, wire, tacks
DimensionsOverall: 38.2 x 13 x 6 cm (15 1/16 x 5 1/8 x 2 3/8 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2560
On View
Not on viewClassificationsWarfare, hunting, fishing
Collections
South of the Nzakara, on both sides of the upper Ubangi River, Banza, Gobu, and Banziri blacksmiths manufacture knives of this type. Primarily symbols of prestige, most Saka, Kota and Kutu men owned knives like this one. The blade is worked to create a decorative pattern and the handle is ornamented with copper wire and brass tacks.
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)
early 20th century
Unknown Native American, Ojibwa artist
late 18th–early 19th century
