Prestige Knife

Tetela, Democratic Republic of the Congo t

19th century

Wood, Metal

37cm Tall

Provenance:

Robert Levinson, New York.

This finely forged prestige knife is shaped into an elegant symmetrical form and features elaborate and very fine designs on both sides of the blade. The iron ingot on the hilt would have started small but was added to over time, signifying the status of the owner.