Luba Nsakakabemba arrow rest pin - SOLD OUT
Luba regalia in African art in Congo
Arrow holders are rare items in traditional African art. Here it is a hairpin intended to hold the complex headdress of a notable, the top of which is carved in the form of an Nsakakabemba arrow holder.
These Luba objects have been described in ancient literature by European visitors to the southeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Father Colle reported that they could be made of iron or wood.
They were placed next to the marriage bed, sunk into the ground or into the wall of the house. The arrows placed on the stand were symbols of the marriage union - during the marriage ceremony, an arrow is placed in the ground in front of the parents of the bride and groom to symbolize the indissoluble nature of marriage.
Others have reported that the arrow holder was a symbol of leader power: thus, it was placed in front of the leader to hold his bow and arrows. A senior woman was the only person authorized to take care of the object.
01425
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1950
- Size
- 28 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
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Luba regalia in African art in Congo
Arrow holders are rare items in traditional African art. Here it is a hairpin intended to hold the complex headdress of a notable, the top of which is carved in the form of an Nsakakabemba arrow holder.
These Luba objects have been described in ancient literature by European visitors to the southeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Father Colle reported that they could be made of iron or wood.
They were placed next to the marriage bed, sunk into the ground or into the wall of the house. The arrows placed on the stand were symbols of the marriage union - during the marriage ceremony, an arrow is placed in the ground in front of the parents of the bride and groom to symbolize the indissoluble nature of marriage.
Others have reported that the arrow holder was a symbol of leader power: thus, it was placed in front of the leader to hold his bow and arrows. A senior woman was the only person authorized to take care of the object.