TWO AFRICAN AXES for comment

Freddy · 4th December 2008, 07:37 AM

I looked it up in the catalogue 'African metal implements, weapons, tools and regalia' (Collection of Frederick an Claire Mebel - 1984).

The author shows a similar axe. This is what he writes :

'This axe served only as a on ornamental weapon. It has an imported iron blade produced in Great Britain. tjhis half-moon shaped piece is welded to a straight tang that fits into an elegantly decorated shaft embellished wiht bands of plaited wire. Axes of this rare kind have been found among the Zulu and Xhosa of South Africa, peoples not particularly known for using axes. The major source for this kind of imported blades seems to have been Port Elisabeth.'

But I must say, it's the first time I see one with a bronze (or copper ?) blade.....but I'm still young

4th December 2008, 07:37 AM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I looked it up in the catalogue 'African metal implements, weapons, tools and regalia' (Collection of Frederick an Claire Mebel - 1984). The author shows a similar axe. This is what he writes : 'This axe served only as a on ornamental weapon. It has an imported iron blade produced in Great Britain. tjhis half-moon shaped piece is welded to a straight tang that fits into an elegantly decorated shaft embellished wiht bands of plaited wire. Axes of this rare kind have been found among the Zulu and Xhosa of South Africa, peoples not particularly known for using axes. The major source for this kind of imported blades seems to have been Port Elisabeth.' But I must say, it's the first time I see one with a bronze (or copper ?) blade.....but I'm still young