Islamic Axe for I D and Comment

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

There are two similar axes on a certain auction site, both described as Tanzanian. Tanzania is the modern name for the two countries Tanganyika and Zanzibar. I am picking Zanzibar as it has for many centuries been on the Arab trade routes.
So why not Oman, or at least a trader from there?
I did check with Gav and his comment was "african" but did not know exactly where.
Keep it going Gents. It's getting interesting.

Hi Guys,

With out exact axe references and replying on well documented artistic imagery alone, the axe you are referring that I have, has to my eye, many traits seen in artwork/carvings from the Kpeligue, Senufo, Ivory coast.
The timber is also of a similar nature.
I'll get together references and a description this weekend family sickness permitting.
These regions were well known for Eastern and Western slave trading.

Stu, perhaps a relic for the Arabian slave trading across the Sahara/sub Sahara to these regions on the Ivory Coast.

Gav

[kahnjar1]

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.