African Art Search Results

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Type: weapon

Ethnic Group: Unknown

Country: Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

ECU Number: L0072-A

Description: These two iron knives, one with scabbard, have brass tacks and wrapped handles.

Significance researched to date: African metalsmiths have been smelting iron and copper from indigenous ore for over 2000 years. Metal objects were polished with rough stones and sand until they glistened, then incised traditional designs. Some were functional weapons; others were carried or tossed in the air during ceremonial occasions. Still others were status symbols, and indicated the judicial or religious authority of their owners. Made of iron or copper, some were of exceptional size, serving as currency along rivers and trade routes. Blacksmiths were given very high status. As direct descendants of ancestors who brought fire from the sun, they were considered intermediaries between gods and man. As iron came from the earth like their ancestors and fire came from the sun, they welded the power from both the earth and the sun. They were always descendants of previous blacksmiths, learning the trade from their fathers and marrying only blacksmithÕs daughters. They were the only ones allowed to make the ceremonial pieces.

Type:	weapon
Ethnic Group:	Unknown
Country:	Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
ECU Number:	L0072-A

Description:	These two iron knives, one with scabbard, have brass tacks and wrapped handles.
Significance researched to date:	African metalsmiths have been smelting iron and copper from indigenous ore for over 2000 years. Metal objects were polished with rough stones and sand until they glistened, then incised traditional designs. Some were functional weapons; others were carried or tossed in the air during ceremonial occasions. Still others were status symbols, and indicated the judicial or religious authority of their owners. Made of iron or copper, some were of exceptional size, serving as currency along rivers and trade routes. Blacksmiths were given very high status. As direct descendants of ancestors who brought fire from the sun, they were considered intermediaries between gods and man. As iron came from the earth like their ancestors and fire came from the sun, they welded the power from both the earth and the sun. They were always descendants of previous blacksmiths, learning the trade from their fathers and marrying only blacksmithÕs daughters. They were the only ones allowed to make the ceremonial pieces.