Islamic Axe for I D and Comment

[kahnjar1]

Can anyone think of other instances of decorative chain on these types of axes in Africa? As I mentioned, this is an affectation well known on many sa'if from the Hadhramaut regions and Yemen, which compellingly suggests that it would have been known with trade headed to Zanzibar. From there, again as previously noted, the Omani trade routes into the interior may haved carried the feature into tribal contact in these interactions.

Hi Jim and thanks so much for your forward thinking comments.
There is another axe of similar shape on a certain auction site, (still live, so I can't post a pic). This axe also has a chain attaching ring on the pole, but no chain. Otherwise it is plain apart from what looks like a wrap of silver? on the haft. So it would appear that my axe is not alone in having (at least) an anchor for a chain.
Regards Stuart