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© Bruce M. White, 2012.
ClassificationsAfrican Art

Knife with Figurative Handle

Place CreatedDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Africa
CultureMangbetu
Datelate 19th-early 20th Century
MediumIron, wood
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Dimensions14 x 1 3/4 in. (35.6 x 4.4 cm)
Object number2003.065.006
Label TextAmong the Magbetu, objects with representational imagery became popular in the late 19th century due to patronage from the royal court and from Western explorers. The court favored figurative imagery as a mark of prestige while Westerners admired the fine craftsmanship. Although figurative objects did not appear among the Mangbetu until the 1870s, figuration was long established among the neighboring Azande. In fact, it is likely that many "Mangbetu" art works were actually commissioned from Azande artists. These objects, like this knife, feature images of Mangbetu women whose elongated foreheads were considered to be highly attractive. Elite women wrapped their heads with twine and wove their hair onto conical basket structures. They also tattooed and painted their bodies. On the knife hilt, the stylized figure's large hands cover the "negbe," a bark cloth apron fashionable in the early 1900s.
Exhibition HistoryAfrican Metal Implements: Weapons, Tools, and Regalia: Collection of Frederick and Claire Mebel, Hillwood Art Gallery, Greenvale, New York, 1984
MCCM Permanent Collection Installation, Rotation 3, September 26, 1998 - Spring 2003
MCCM Permanent Collection Installation, March 2006 - March 13, 2007
MCCM Permanent Collection Installation, November 19, 2007 - December 1, 2014
Published ReferencesPeter Westerdijk, African Metal Implements: Weapons, Tools, and Regalia: Collection of Frederick & Claire Mebel (Greenvale, NY: Hillwood Art Gallery, 1984), 35, number 144.
MCCM Newsletter, March - May, 2004.
ProvenanceEx coll. Frederick (1913-1998) and Claire (1916-1994) Mebel, New York, from at least 1984. Thence by descent to Steven and Elaine Schwartzreich, New York. Purchased by MCCM from the Schwartzreichs.
Status
Not on view
Collections
  • African Art
© Bruce M. White, 2006.
Anthropomorphic Vessel
after 1912
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Circular Plaque with Portuguese Figures
19th Century or later
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Armlet Depicting a Leopard
19th Century or later
© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Michael McKelvey.
Figurative Vessel
20th Century
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Power Figure, Bocio
late 19th-early 20th Century
© Bruce M. White, 2008.
Power Figure, Bocio
late 19th-early 20th Century
© Bruce M. White, 2008.
Hunter's Shirt, Donson Dlokiw
late 19th-early 20th Century
© Bruce M. White, 2008.
Figure, Bateba
20th Century
© Bruce M. White, 2006.
Master-of-Animals Standard
800-600 BCE
© Bruce M. White, 2005.
Relief of Men Sharpening a Knife
2435-2152 BCE
© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University
Knife
after 2543 BCE
© Bruce M. White, 2010.
Female Figure
late 19th-early 20th Century