Accession No
E 1905.606 A
Description
Leaf-shaped iron razor with pointed tang.
Place
Africa; Central Africa; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Mongala Province; Lisala; Upoto
Period
Source
Smith, Kenred (Reverend) [collector and donor]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
E 1905.606 A; MAA: AR 1906.626
Cultural Affliation
Bopoto
Material
Metal; Iron
Local Term
Measurements
Events
Description (Physical description)
Description for E 1905.606 A-B: 'Two iron razors: one leaf-shaped, one spade-shaped, the pointed tangs of which are used for dressing the hair. Bopoto, Congo Free State.'
[NB. Pencil note added to catalogue card: "spade shaped one only sent"].
Event Date
Author: maa
Description (Physical description)
Only 1 found, (spade shaped).
Event Date 30/10/2001
Author: Lily Stancliffe
Context (Analysis)
The razor looks very much like a hairpin of which I saw numerous examples during my work on the 'Origins of the Afro Comb' exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in 2013. However, the top piece of the pin does display bevelled edges like a razor blade. Perhaps it was a dual purpose object carried in the hair for convenience; both a pin and a razor.
The object is accompanied by its old display mount.
Event Date 8/3/2016
Author: Remke Velden
FM:300073
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