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Ceremonial sword (gubasa)

Arts of Africa

CULTURE Fon
MEDIUM Iron, wood
  • Place Made: Benin
  • DATES late 19th–early 20th century
    DIMENSIONS 27 1/16 x 5 in. (68.7 x 12.7 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
    ACCESSION NUMBER 25696
    CREDIT LINE Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Iron with wooden handle in shape of animal head (dog?). Blade tip surmounted by cutout of animal (crocodile?). Rest of curving blade engraved with decoration of flowers and other plant forms. A curving wire wraps around handle and ends in a tight curl. Condition: good. Metal discoloration. Ears of wooden "dog" are chipped.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Fon. Ceremonial sword (gubasa), late 19th–early 20th century. Iron, wood, 27 1/16 x 5 in. (68.7 x 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 25696. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 25696_PS10.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 25696_PS10.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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    Fon. <em>Ceremonial sword (gubasa)</em>, late 19th–early 20th century. Iron, wood, 27 1/16 x 5 in. (68.7 x 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 25696. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 25696_PS10.jpg)