Islamic Axe for I D and Comment

kahnjar1 · 15th June 2011, 07:47 AM

Thanks Gav for further ideas. I agree that to positively identify this (and probably other "african" axes) will be quite a task, but I guess that somwhere out there lies the answer. The Arabic cartouche does not appear to be a later addition, as the patina of all the metal/wire work appears to be the same. Also the pin holding the cartouche in place is the same which secures the blade to the haft. So from that we must assume some sort of Arabian connection, even if the style axe itself is not Arabian.
IF Tanganyika/Zanzibar can be proven, then my pick would be Zanzibar due to it's long association with Arabia on the old Dhow trade routes.

15th June 2011, 07:47 AM	#11
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,809	Thanks Gav for further ideas. I agree that to positively identify this (and probably other "african" axes) will be quite a task, but I guess that somwhere out there lies the answer. The Arabic cartouche does not appear to be a later addition, as the patina of all the metal/wire work appears to be the same. Also the pin holding the cartouche in place is the same which secures the blade to the haft. So from that we must assume some sort of Arabian connection, even if the style axe itself is not Arabian. IF Tanganyika/Zanzibar can be proven, then my pick would be Zanzibar due to it's long association with Arabia on the old Dhow trade routes.