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Old 8th November 2012, 10:35 PM   #1
Al Shamal
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Default Hand Axe Help

Salam,

Pls see attached photos of a hand axe purchased locally and im guessing from somewhere in this region... It came to me with the wooden handle heavily soiled which i have since mildly cleaned and added a thin layer of bees wax...other-wise un-touched. All comments welcome on origin, age, silver and brass work, etc
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Old 9th November 2012, 02:19 PM   #2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi
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Salaams Al Shamal, Its not a Mussandam axe but could be from India or Iran perhaps Malibar. See http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=axes for more on axes.
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Old 11th November 2012, 07:04 PM   #3
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Shokran Ibrahiim,
There are some similarities in the link you provided for sure
The vendor had it in his personal collection for around 30 years in the UAE, however thats as much information as I have.

It appears to have an Indo Persian influenced axe head.....does anyone have thoughts on:
# the brass work style - pattern and shapes
# the silver work style - pattern
I'm hoping that these 2 styles of work can tell more of a story on the origin...


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Old 12th November 2012, 03:33 AM   #4
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IT STRIKES ME AS SCANDINAVIAN BUT THATS JUST A WILD GUESS, WHATEVER IT IS I LIKE IT.
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Old 18th November 2012, 11:08 AM   #5
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Salam,

me to!
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Old 18th November 2012, 03:47 PM   #6
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Default Silver strip

Hello,

The silver strip looks like north indian or nepalese work. But it looks a bit strange with the rest of the axe.

Greetz Ron
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Old 18th November 2012, 09:57 PM   #7
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Oh god these axes are a puzzle sometimes.
What are those panels? are they the silver on brass parts you mention?
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Old 19th November 2012, 08:11 PM   #8
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Salam,

Hmmm... Well there are 3 seperate panels. 1 is a silver patterned panel on the back and then the other 2 seperate side panels look to be brass patterned. The work is quite detailed and has a nice aging patina.


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Old 20th November 2012, 02:47 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Shamal
Salam,

Hmmm... Well there are 3 seperate panels. 1 is a silver patterned panel on the back and then the other 2 seperate side panels look to be brass patterned. The work is quite detailed and has a nice aging patina.



Salaams Al Shamal ~ Interesting...Looks to me like someone has fitted the axehead up with a shaft that previously belonged on a hammer or perhaps a shovel even...I have looked at the decorated shaft but the only bell that rings is ... "I reckon the decorated strip with the swirls of what looks like wave or peacock feathers is in fact off some jewellery item" .. Perhaps it is a straightened out bangle? I think the same about the brass decoration. The axehead looks meaningful but I think there is artistic licence on the shaft...If its from the Mussandam its probably been played with ... but its an interesting item... got any more axes? A friend of mine up there has a couple of Mussandam Jers axes which are watered steel... When I get a picture I will publish here. There is also a brilliant Mussandam axes collection at Al Ain Museum.
Regards,
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Old 21st November 2012, 02:07 AM   #10
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Salam,

Interesting points on the decorated strips/panels. The silver part is around 200mm x 20mm. The brass around 130mm x 35mm. Whilst the length of silver could be long enough for a small bangle/bracelet, the brass is too short. The wooden hilt at the widest part is around 85mm thick.

Ya! Will take some more axe snaps shortly
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Old 23rd November 2012, 03:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Shamal
Salam,

Interesting points on the decorated strips/panels. The silver part is around 200mm x 20mm. The brass around 130mm x 35mm. Whilst the length of silver could be long enough for a small bangle/bracelet, the brass is too short. The wooden hilt at the widest part is around 85mm thick.

Ya! Will take some more axe snaps shortly

Salaams Al Shamal~ For a similar Peacock Feather design see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...d=1#post148500

# 24. refers.

Regards,
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Old 24th November 2012, 05:20 PM   #12
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Alaikum salam Ibrahiim,

Dear All,

Here is another axe for comments....
This time from Muttrah, Muscat; although it maybe far removed from it's origin and handle i would suggest! Out of interest the vendor stated it as being from Turkmenistan.

The axe head has been 'lodged' in-place with some bonding glue/epoxy and then purple ribbon wrapped until 'things' set

My interest lay in the axe head itself...it has 6 triangular shapes (formed with detailed lines) in the shape of a triangle on the blade. They look quite symbolic, but whoose symbols? There are also 3 lined sections located on the neck of the blade (actually these remind me a little of some Musandam jerz markings), perhaps originally filled with brass/gold, now with only one small section remaining. The other side of the blade is also identical with the same markings.

From the axe blade to the poll butt measures 142mm. Total length, head to hilt is 925mm.

All comments welcome and i am hoping the triangular type symbols have a story to tell!!
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Old 24th November 2012, 05:56 PM   #13
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Smile New Axe New Thread ?

Maybe this one deserves its own thread ?
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Old 24th November 2012, 06:23 PM   #14
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Salam Rick,
Ya, perhaps should have
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Old 25th November 2012, 06:28 PM   #15
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Salam,

Kindly note i have started a new thread for the axe from Muttrah with photos above, listed as "Souq Axe for Comments..."
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