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Executioner's Sword

Arts of Africa

MEDIUM Iron, wood, metal wire and nailheads
DATES late 19th or early 20th century
DIMENSIONS 5 1/8 x 21 7/16 in. (13 x 54.5 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER 22.414
CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
PROVENANCE Prior to 1922, provenance not yet documented; by 1922, acquired by François Poncelet of Brussels, Belgium; 1922, purchased from François Poncelet by Stewart Culin in Brussels for the Brooklyn Museum.
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CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Iron blade, the multi-curved edge ending in a sickle shape. Handle of wood is wrapped in wire, ending in three flattened balls studded with nailheads.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Ngala. Executioner's Sword, late 19th or early 20th century. Iron, wood, metal wire and nailheads, 5 1/8 x 21 7/16 in. (13 x 54.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.414. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.414_threequarter_PS5.jpg)
IMAGE threequarter, CUR.22.414_threequarter_PS5.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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Ngala. <em>Executioner's Sword</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Iron, wood, metal wire and nailheads, 5 1/8 x 21 7/16 in. (13 x 54.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.414. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.22.414_threequarter_PS5.jpg)