African Axe Needs restoration

[Lew]

Hi All

I couldn't pass this one up. I will do a clean up and restortion job on it to bring it back to it's past glory. The haft looks in good shape so some fine steel wool and wax should do the job. The axe head will need some more work though. Will post picture before and after.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICAN-ART-KUBA-AXLE-16-ZAIRE-STATUE-CONGO_W0QQitemZ320007359655QQihZ011QQcategoryZ3794 7QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Lew

[Freddy]

Hi Lew,

Perhaps you already know, but this is not a Kuba axe. In fact, it's from the Songye tribe in Congo.

I have one with a similar blade. The decoration is a bit different. Notice the nice zigzag pattern on the blade.
The handle is covered with lizard skin.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Songye2-detail1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Songye2-detail2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Songye2-detail4.jpg

[Tim Simmons]

Jolly good show!!!

[Justin]

Nice Axes! These look a little more like weapons than most African axes,is that the case? or are these ceremonial like most of the others?

[Lew]

I'm still waiting for the axe but here is a quick pic of the ones I have up on the wall so far.


Lew

[Lew]

The axe arrived today and I worked on it for an hour with fine steel wool and Briwax. Here are the after pics but unfortunately the seller removed the old pics so no comparison can be made. :( Those who saw it can remember it was in pretty bad shape.

Lew

[Tim Simmons]

Well done, a real snip. Looks great :cool: .

[Lew]

Tim

Did you ever notice some of these Congo pieces often smell smokey like burnt wood? The axe and a Shi sword that I have both smell in this same manner.


Lew