N'gulu (Executioner's Knife) - Ngombe Peoples

A difficult piece to photograph, because of the shape and glare.  This is another piece that stood in my old apartment.  There is significant crossover between lovers of African and Asian art.  African knives are exquisite sculptural objects as well as having been actually used.  There are very few pieces that are older than 19th century, as the African climate tends to be cruel to them.  In these artifacts - knives, masks, etc - one looks to see if they have patina of actually being used, as opposed to being made for the tourist trade.  This knife is most probably early 20th century, and if you look at the handle, you can see the patina where the thumb went (the wear left of my thumb).  It stands 30" tall with the stand, 28" by itself.  There is beautiful engraving on the blade, better seen in the bottom picture.  A striking piece (literally and figuratively).