Ceremonial Ikula Knife (#4) - Kuba People - D.R. Congo

Price: $750.00


 


The ceremonial knife was introduced by an early Kuba king as a peaceful replacement for a more warlike throwing knife. The hilt is exquisitely decorated by inlaying thousands of wire bits into the wood.

From the Stanley Yalkowsky, esq collection NYC.
Knives, daggers and swords from the Kuba people are used as prestige items. Historical documents indicate that quantities of them were brought to the Congo by Portuguese and Dutch traders beginning around the 16th century. Many daggers were then forged by Congolese blacksmiths to emulate foreign examples. They were reserved for nobles and used for important ceremonial occasions.

17"H x 4"W