Ceremonial Axe with Human Head

CultureLuba peoples
Titles
  • Ceremonial Axe with Human Head
Date1840–1899
PlaceDemocratic Republic of the Congo
MediumWood, iron, and brass tacks
DimensionsOverall: 17 × 1 5/8 × 5 1/2 in. (43.2 × 4.1 × 14 cm)
Credit LineThe Dr. Gus K. Nicholson Collection
Object number91.1451
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
African Art
ProvenanceDr. Gus K. Nicholson (1942–1989), Houston, by 1989; by inheritance to his heirs, 1989–1991; given to MFAH, 1991.
Exhibition History"Sculpture of Black Africa: The Gus Nicholson Collection," Rice Museum, Rice University, Houston, December 12, 1980 - February 29, 1981 [1].
[1] Exhibition check list, possibly no. 89 (on file).

“The Private Eye: Selected Works from Collections of Friends of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston” The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, June 11, 1989-August 13, 1989.

EXHIBITED at MFAH, Sterling Gallery, November 4, 1998-present PERMANENT COLLECTION INSTALLATION

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Horned Mask (Poro society)
1890–1950
Wood, cowrie shells, fur, hair, nails, brass tacks
73.91
Pipe with Human Head, Boka
1900–1940
Wood, silver, copper, iron, cotton cloth, glass beads, and paint
91.1452
Execution Knife (ngulu)
1880–1930
Iron, wood, and brass tacks Tacks in handle: Brass
90.503
Musket
1870–1930
Wood, brass tacks, and iron
97.1308
Udamalore (Ceremonial Knife with Sheath)
1875–1925
Ivory, iron, glass beads, brass bells, cotton cloth, wood, and cane
91.1551
Overall, proper left side
c. 1790–1880
Wood, iron, and brass tacks
2022.56.A,.B
Roan Antelope Headdress (Chi Wara society)
1900–1935
Wood, brass tacks, tin, and nails
64.23
Ceremonial Knife (ikula)
1870–1930
Iron, wood, and metal wire
91.1462
Chief's Chair
1900–1925
Wood, hide, brass tacks, nails, and traces of pigment
99.517
Ceremonial Knife (za)
1870–1940
Iron and wood
91.45
Palanquin
1870–1930
Wood, brass tacks, rope, metal patches, silk pile cloth
97.1322
Chair
1900–1920
Wood, leather, brass tacks, finials and sheeting
97.755