This is a very nice old example of a Central African throwing knife with features most suggestive of origin in Westerdijk's stylistic province XI (in what is now Zaire and part of the Central African Republic). Precise cultural attribution is difficult, but this appears most similar to published examples of Ngombe and Ngbaka work. The length along the axis of the handle is 16 inches (40.5 cm) and the measurement perpendicular to that is 12¼ inches (31 cm). The spur from the handle and the main stem are unsharpened; the remainder of the iron blade has been beveled to sharp edges. One face of the blade is inscribed with triangular devices and lines following the contour of the limbs. The handle has been formed by wrapping with woven fiber thread. A few old rust patches and some patchy pitting is present. Overall weight is 16 ounces (454 grams).