KUBA (CONGO) WARRIOR'S/SLAVER'S STAFF

Black hardwood, 41 5/8” length with nubby hand grip capped with a pewter disk. Expanded central segment craved in deep relief with linear and triangular spiral bands in typical and distinctive Kuba fashion and workmanship. The balance tapered and tipper with an Eley high powered rifle cartridge. Excellent with good patina. The Kuba were elite among Congolese with a highly structured materialistic culture. This staff would have been carried by a mature warrior who likely achieved his position through the slave trade. It served as a walking stick, for gesturing to punctuate speech and as a bludgeon. Ex. Christie's London, October 31, 1984, Lot 105.