Pende, Dem. Rep. of Congo: a very old chief’s sword of the Pende people, with a large relief head on the sheath. Rare.
Pende, Dem. Rep. of Congo: a very old chief’s sword of the Pende people, with a large relief head on the sheath. Rare.
A very old chief’s sword of the Pende people, with iron blade. Hilt and sheath are made of wood, originally dyed black. The locally-forged, double-edged blade is decorated with punched lines and lozenges. The wooden hilt features all-round, relief rings and a cone-shaped, pointed termination.
The sheath is made of wood and has a circular end-plate below. On this plate sits a large, impressive head, carved in relief. Both sword and sheath are very old. The sheath is consolidated above with an aluminium band and copper wire (evidently a later addition). The round disc below (with the fine, old head) was once broken and shows an old original repair of inserted copper clamps, minimal breaks below, as well as a burned circular decoration on the front and back. A very rare piece with colour and wood abrasion (on the head) due to protracted use. Magnificent patina everywhere. Length: 70 cm (sword in sheath). Around 1900. (ME)
Provenance: Private collection of Jos Christiaens, Bruges, Belgium.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 1,000.-
Pende, Dem. Rep. of Congo: a very old chief’s sword of the Pende people, with a large relief head on the sheath. Rare.
A very old chief’s sword of the Pende people, with iron blade. Hilt and sheath are made of wood, originally dyed black. The locally-forged, double-edged blade is decorated with punched lines and lozenges. The wooden hilt features all-round, relief rings and a cone-shaped, pointed termination.
The sheath is made of wood and has a circular end-plate below. On this plate sits a large, impressive head, carved in relief. Both sword and sheath are very old. The sheath is consolidated above with an aluminium band and copper wire (evidently a later addition). The round disc below (with the fine, old head) was once broken and shows an old original repair of inserted copper clamps, minimal breaks below, as well as a burned circular decoration on the front and back. A very rare piece with colour and wood abrasion (on the head) due to protracted use. Magnificent patina everywhere. Length: 70 cm (sword in sheath). Around 1900. (ME)
Provenance: Private collection of Jos Christiaens, Bruges, Belgium.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |