Prestige axe
Songye peoples
20th century, 1950–2000
Artist Unidentified
Object Place: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dimensions
Overall: 46 x 30 x 6 cm (18 1/8 x 11 13/16 x 2 3/8 in.)
Accession Number
2009.2666
Medium or Technique
Metal, wood
On View
Richard B. Carter Gallery (Gallery 171)
Collections
Africa and Oceania, Contemporary Art
Classifications
This particular axe is attributed to the Nsapo, a Songye subgroup. Although this axe is rather simple looking, the copper inlay in the middle of the blade and the abstract geometric patterns that adorn the blade indicate that this was a prestige weapon belonging to a high-ranking individual.
Inscription
red plastic label: 64
Provenance
1967, sold by Michel Huguenin, Galerie Majestic, Paris, to Geneviève McMillan (b. 1922 - d. 2008), Cambridge, MA; 2008, to the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation, Cambridge; 2009, gift of the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)
Credit Line
Gift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart