Small axes for ID

Jim McDougall · 15th May 2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

The tulip motif seen here is a very standard decorative pattern on Hungarian and Romania "folk art" these look like very nice old pieces. Rural folk would have decorated items like this to chop wood and hammer things way before B&Q DIY stores. I do not have pictures of the very same axes but lots of pictures showing the style and decorative devises used to decorate and make jolly all sorts of domestic items. Folk art is very sought after.

The tulip motif is a highly favored Ottoman device which was favored as well in earlier Mughal courts, but the tulip rage in the 17th century certainly carried influences from the Netherlands far across Europe, and as noted was key in folk art context in Eastern Europe. Im not sure whether that would be connected in any way, but the tulip as motif was definitely widespread and notable.

Atlantia · 15th May 2011, 05:46 PM

Would it be useful if I cleaned one up to show clearer pictures?

Thanks everyone

Jim, the short shafts on them are rubbish, clearly been on them for a while, but nowhere near as old as the axes.

I scoured the car boot sales today for vintage gardening tools and got two 40+ year old long handled Hoes with beautiful straight grained shafts.
Both 4'+ long

Which will be good if we can 100% positively ID these so I can remake the correct shafts.
They are so distinctive with the punched decoration and octagonal to circular hammer backs.
Both are very similar but different, so I'd venture that they may well be representative of a specific ethnographic type, rather than possibly just an atypical pair.
Interestingly, one has dot decoration all across the face of the hammer and around it randomly 'peppering' the surface.
So I'd guess that at least the hammer part is not meant to be used as a tool?

Tim Simmons · 15th May 2011, 06:43 PM

You have not shown the handles. Here are a few pictures of Hungarian folk art. I could add lots more. Agreed the tulip is also seen on Ottoman artefacts but I do not think what we have here is the case.

Atlantia · 15th May 2011, 07:31 PM

Hi Tim,

The handles at the moment are just short bits of plain wood roughly fitted.
Completely wrong.

Best
Gene

Tim Simmons · 15th May 2011, 07:41 PM

This picture looks like the original handle. A household kindling cutting axe with a hammer might only have a simple handle. I think you can buy a hammer axe DIY thing today but nowhere near as pretty or treasured in a non global consumerist society.

Atlantia · 15th May 2011, 08:57 PM

Hopefully some better pics (Now I've cleaned them) will be helpful?

I was going to scrub them, but the patina is so deep and dark and old.
It almost seems wrong to take them back to silver metal?

Tim Simmons · 15th May 2011, 09:01 PM

Very nice.

15th May 2011, 05:46 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Would it be useful if I cleaned one up to show clearer pictures? Thanks everyone Jim, the short shafts on them are rubbish, clearly been on them for a while, but nowhere near as old as the axes. I scoured the car boot sales today for vintage gardening tools and got two 40+ year old long handled Hoes with beautiful straight grained shafts. Both 4'+ long Which will be good if we can 100% positively ID these so I can remake the correct shafts. They are so distinctive with the punched decoration and octagonal to circular hammer backs. Both are very similar but different, so I'd venture that they may well be representative of a specific ethnographic type, rather than possibly just an atypical pair. Interestingly, one has dot decoration all across the face of the hammer and around it randomly 'peppering' the surface. So I'd guess that at least the hammer part is not meant to be used as a tool? Last edited by Atlantia; 15th May 2011 at 06:16 PM.

15th May 2011, 06:43 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	You have not shown the handles. Here are a few pictures of Hungarian folk art. I could add lots more. Agreed the tulip is also seen on Ottoman artefacts but I do not think what we have here is the case. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 15th May 2011 at 07:03 PM.

15th May 2011, 07:41 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	This picture looks like the original handle. A household kindling cutting axe with a hammer might only have a simple handle. I think you can buy a hammer axe DIY thing today but nowhere near as pretty or treasured in a non global consumerist society. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 15th May 2011 at 08:13 PM. Reason: SPELLING

15th May 2011, 08:57 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hopefully some better pics (Now I've cleaned them) will be helpful? I was going to scrub them, but the patina is so deep and dark and old. It almost seems wrong to take them back to silver metal? Attached Images

15th May 2011, 07:31 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Tim, The handles at the moment are just short bits of plain wood roughly fitted. Completely wrong. Best Gene

15th May 2011, 09:01 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	Very nice.