Two Akan, Angibelikrou region, state swords

afena, each of similar form, with iron blades, the longer one pierced with cruciform motifs, each with large wooden spherical pommel and hilt incised with geometric motifs and a face on the shorter decorated overall with gold leaf; 'N.283',  'N.284', '188A' in white pigment; aged and varied surface overall.

Helena Rubinstein, New York and Paris
Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, April 21, 1966, lots 170 and 171
 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public Museum, Selections from the William W. Brill Collection of African Art, May 5 – August 31, 1969 (for additional venues see bibliography, Milwaukee 1969)