Knife
Unknown Artist
c. 1900
Medium
Iron, wood, copper alloy, upholstery studs, plant fibers, and rawhide
Dimensions
l. 57.2 cm · blade: l. 41.4 cm
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
African Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1916.743
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This beautifully wrought knife served as a symbol of political authority among the Ngala. Quite literally it signified the power of life and death for its form was derived from that of an executioner's knife.