Knife, c. 1900. 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.

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Size: 3510px × 5945px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 20th, africa, armor, arms, art, bangala, brass, central, century, cleveland, congo, democratic, early, heritage, iron, museum, republic, unknown, wood