The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 7, 2026

A ceremonial sword features a dark, serpentine iron blade curving into a large hook at the top. A jagged, triangular protrusion extends from the upper spine, while fine cross-hatched patterns detail the edges. Below, a handle wrapped in dark wire leads to a flared copper band. The piece concludes in a tiered wooden base tapering into a pigment-covered point.

Ceremonial Sword (ngulu)

1800s–1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ngombe-style, Doko-style, or Iboko-style maker

Iron alloy, wood, copper alloy, and pigment
Overall: 54.6 cm (21 1/2 in.)
Gift of Donna L. and Robert H. Jackson 2015.157
Location: Not on view
  • private collection, Belgium
    ?-2015
    Mr. Robert H. Jackson by gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2015-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
    Provenance Footnotes
    1 Standing on Ceremony: Traditional African Arms from the Donna L. and Robert H. Jackson Collection, p. 23
  • Standing on Ceremony: Traditional African Arms from the Donna L. and Robert H. Jackson Collection. Cleveland: Western Reserve Historical Society, April 24 through November 7, 2004
  • {{cite web|title=Ceremonial Sword (ngulu)|url=false|author=|year=1800s–1900s|access-date=07 June 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2015.157