Skip to main content

Knife

Mbole

Artwork Details

Knife
19th century
Mbole
metal, copper, and wood
24 7/16 in x 6 11/16 in x 1 5/16 in (62 cm x 17 cm x 3.3 cm)
Gift of Susan B. and John F. Ullrich
1998/1.46

Description

Subject Matter:

This large knife, or perhaps a small sword, with a triangular blade ends in a rounded point. The handle is wrapped with wire, possibly copper. The usage of the knife is unknown though its detailed decoration suggests that it may have functioned primarily as a ceremonial, rather than functional, weapon. 

Physical Description:

A knife with a wooden handle wrapped in wire, possibly copper. The handle terminates in a round knob. It has a long triangular blade that flares, narrows, then flares before narrowing to a rounded point.

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.