An Ceremonial Knife Kota Gabon People Type Onzil Musele Osele Throwing Knife?

Large antique bird knife of the Kota people type osele/musele onzil Gabon
Tribe: Kota
Country Gabon
Period: Late 19th / early 20th century.
Dimensions: 33 x 31 cm
Perfect condition
Museum quality hornbill type Kota bird knife It is an onzil/osele, but by mistake these knives are called throwing knives, although they were never intended to be used as a weapon. They are mostly ceremonial and also used in some religious processions. The shape of the blade is in the style of the head of the Hornbill, a bird much admired in Africa, hence the usual title "bird's head knife". Most likely originating from the Kota people of Gabon and later adopted by the Fang and other neighboring tribes.