Knife
- Culture
- Kuba artist
- Date
- late 19th century–early 20th century
- Material
- Brass
- Classification
- Arms & armor, metalwork
- Collection
- Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 16 1/4 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (41.3 x 14 x 6.4 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 303:1983
NOTES
The Kuba peoples have long been known for their blacksmithing talents in addition to their strong army. They are especially famous for their weapons known as throwing knives. In the early 17th century, King Shamba-Bolongongo introduced the Ikula blade, which resembles a plant leaf, and he outlawed the use of throwing knives. The Ikula blade became a symbol of peace, a condition made possible by a strong royal line of wise political leaders.
Provenance
by 1974 - 1983
Morton D. May (1914–1983), St. Louis, MO, USA [1]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] This object arrived to the Museum in 1974 on long-term loan from Morton D. May [SLAM document files].
[2] In a letter dated February 17, 1983, Morton D. May offered this object as a gift to the Museum [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, February 23, 1983.
Morton D. May (1914–1983), St. Louis, MO, USA [1]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] This object arrived to the Museum in 1974 on long-term loan from Morton D. May [SLAM document files].
[2] In a letter dated February 17, 1983, Morton D. May offered this object as a gift to the Museum [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, February 23, 1983.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.