AUCTIONS IMPERIAL NOVEMBER 2019

A RARE KONGO MBELE A LULENDO SWORD

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Start price: $500

Estimated price: $1,000 - $1,200

Buyer's premium:

Description

Known as the Sword of Authority, a very fine example of the type. Closely modeled on its 16th century European prototype, the elegant iron guard with rolled quillons terminating in expanded, pierced and profiled quillon tips, and pierced oval pommel. Mounted with a fine European broadsword blade acquired through trade or capture, the forte with short fullers at each edge, and a maker’s mark of an orb incised and inlaid in copper above a central fuller. Mid-16th century or later. Corroded condition, losses to the tip. Portuguese traveler Oduardo Lopez noted that swords and daggers were already in use among rulers in Luanda as regalia when he visited there in 1578. Overall length 94cm. Condition V