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Antique African Cult Object part #1, carved saw blade and wooden "stock", French

$ 92.4

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Handmade: Yes
  • Provenance: Ownership History Not Available
  • Condition: Used
  • Culture: African
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Modified Item: No
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
  • Time Period Manufactured: 1600-1900

    Description

    I bought this African cult object at an estate auction that had many other ethnographic items in it, over 15 years ago.  This comes from French speaking central Africa and dates at least to the first half of the 20th century.  Although now in two pieces, it had a nut and bolt that held the two pieces together and would have had one or two more but for the fact that the wood has deteriorated so much in that area.  The wooden stock is obviously carved to resemble a musket or rifle stock.  It is riddled with insect damage but the residents are long gone.  Consequently, there are losses to corners and edges but the art is still there.  Check the photos.  There are two carved faces on the wooden stock, the face of a man with a beard and the face of a dog or lion that was a separate piece and has been attached.  There are two holes in the top of the dog's head, maybe for horns?  The metal portion is made from an old cross cut saw blade and carved, pierced and engraved at one end is a weeping or bleeding human head (skull) and cross bones.  And along the body of the blade on each side is lettering in French.  One side has "VIVELANATION*ETTOUTTCES-BONCYTOIENS*FAIT*ABORIGINAIS*"  with "C*VINCENT*" crossways at the butt end.  On the other side is "LAMORTDEZARISTOCRATE*LARE' JOUISSANCEZ*DUDIABLE*" and "JFG" across the butt end of this side.   The workmanship is superb and obviously hand done.  I only know a smidgen of French but I can make out Vive la Nation (long live the nation), the word Aboriginais (aborigine), La Mort dez Aristocrate (death of the aristocrat),  and Du Diablo (of the Devil).  The metal blade is 44 " (111.8cm) long and the wooden stock is 27 1/2" (69.9cm) long  This listing is part one.  In another listing is part 2 with more photos.  Please do not bid on part 2, as it is for more photos only.
    I am happy to combine shipping.  Any shipping over payment will be refunded.  Shipping to the USA only.  No returns accepted.