African axe or fake?
 

Hi all. Been busy posting here. Its certainly addictive. I'm thankful for all of your comments and patients.
Here I have an African axe or so I thought. I was told by a dealer that saw it on my wall it was a fake. Now I'm worried.
Your opinions are needed. It look real too me, but I'm no expert.
Thanks!
Stephen*

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/IMG_0759.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/IMG_0763.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/IMG_0760.jpg

Before Judging
 

I think one has to define 'Fake' .












/I feel a bout of deja vu coming on . :rolleyes:

The dealer is talking nonsense. I think it is a Shona axe or possibly Chokwe either way you are looking at the southern part of Africa, western for Chokwe and more easterly for Shona. I like it, early 20th cent?

I would agree to Tim, it doesn't look like a fairly new souvenir for tourists. Especially the carved part shows signs of aging and it could we well about 80 years old. I think it’s “Genuine”, (which also has to be defined :rolleyes: )

Nice axe Stephen and for sure it's no a fake!!!! :)

Is the handle varnished, it looks like it in one of the photos? If it is... it could make a piece look 'plasticky' (another technical term which is bad English and spelling). Certainly wouldn't constitute a 'fake' because of it though.

Hi Naga Warrior

The axe is chokwe and it's no fake here is one from my collection for comparison.

Lew

Thanks all for your comments. The handle does seem so have a wax on it, I assume to preserve it. It gives it a nice patina. Perhaps one could think it to be a false patina to make the piece seem older?

Nice Chokwe axe Lew. I really appreciate the input. I can feel better about this piece I think. :)

Nice natural patina, you can add wax if you like or give it to me.

Hello Lew, i don't think that is chokwe. On Westerdijik's book there are two axes that are similar to the one on discussion: one is attributed to the LELE in the sphere of KUBA people and the other at the MBALA near, but not neighbor, to the chokwe. If i can, later or tomorrow i will post the pictures of the book.

Flavio

Are you referring to my axe or Naga's axe or both not being Chokwe?

Lew

No Lew, yours is clearly (and a very nice) chokwe axe :)

Seems to be a good one !
Luc

Hi,this is a Pendé axe from the 1930ies in my opinion,the one from Lew clearly Tsjokwé.Regards,Danny

Hi Danny

I see you finally joined the forum Welcome to our world :D


Lew