Circumcision knife handle c. 20th century

This small figurative handle for a knife was made by an artist of the Luba people. I’m so interested in the intimacy of its scale and the deep, rich history of art that the artist is in conversation with. I wonder about the process of carving, the careful, meditative removal of material to reveal the form within. Imagine the artist working with focused intent, letting the figure emerge from the tusk, guided by intuition and skill. What was the first cut? The creamy ivory, worn smooth through handling, is so beautiful and tactile. It makes me think about touch. You can see a quiet strength, a gentle power, in its simple, elegant form. Its surface shows these fine lines that communicate so much. Each cut and curve seems imbued with meaning, tradition, and personal expression. It's kind of a marvel, right? And, you know, that's what art-making is, an ongoing conversation.