Knife Item Number: K4.34 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Curved metal blade that comes to a point and has three protrusions and two holes near its base. The handle is cylindrical with a slight curve near the top to fit a hand, and has an elliptical protrusion at the top with a welded ferrule where the handle joins the blade.
History Of Use
Curved trumbash knives are a status symbol in Mangbetu communities. They display the high social status of the bearer. For community leaders, the trumbash functions as an extension of the arm used to gesture while speaking, distinguishing them as powerful individuals. The main purpose of these knives is ceremonial – they function as a display of wealth and authority. Knives like these may also have been used as currency at certain times, having been given as gifts between different communities. In some contexts, they may have been used as general bush-knives, but this is not their main purpose.
Item History
- Made in Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Owned by British Museum before August 1960
- Received from British Museum (Exchanger) during August 1960
What
- Name
- Knife
- Identification Number
- K4.34
- Type of Item
- knife
- Material
- wood and steel metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- forged and carved
- Overall
- height 36.2 cm, width 21.0 cm, depth 3.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Mangbetu
- Previous Owner
- British Museum
- Received from
- British Museum (Exchanger)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
When
- Ownership Date
- before August 1960
- Acquisition Date
- during August 1960
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0022/0006 a