African axe or fake?

Nagawarrior · 12th May 2006, 02:34 AM

Hi all. Been busy posting here. Its certainly addictive. I'm thankful for all of your comments and patients.
Here I have an African axe or so I thought. I was told by a dealer that saw it on my wall it was a fake. Now I'm worried.
Your opinions are needed. It look real too me, but I'm no expert.
Thanks!
Stephen*

Rick · 12th May 2006, 02:37 AM

I think one has to define 'Fake' .

/I feel a bout of deja vu coming on .

Tim Simmons · 12th May 2006, 06:55 AM

The dealer is talking nonsense. I think it is a Shona axe or possibly Chokwe either way you are looking at the southern part of Africa, western for Chokwe and more easterly for Shona. I like it, early 20th cent?

Rather · 12th May 2006, 09:21 AM

I would agree to Tim, it doesn't look like a fairly new souvenir for tourists. Especially the carved part shows signs of aging and it could we well about 80 years old. I think it’s “Genuine”, (which also has to be defined

)

Flavio · 12th May 2006, 09:47 AM

Nice axe Stephen and for sure it's no a fake!!!!

katana · 12th May 2006, 10:29 AM

Is the handle varnished, it looks like it in one of the photos? If it is... it could make a piece look 'plasticky' (another technical term which is bad English and spelling). Certainly wouldn't constitute a 'fake' because of it though.

Lew · 12th May 2006, 11:25 AM

Hi Naga Warrior

The axe is chokwe and it's no fake here is one from my collection for comparison.

Lew

Nagawarrior · 12th May 2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Is the handle varnished, it looks like it in one of the photos? If it is... it could make a piece look 'plasticky' (another technical term which is bad English and spelling). Certainly wouldn't constitute a 'fake' because of it though.

Thanks all for your comments. The handle does seem so have a wax on it, I assume to preserve it. It gives it a nice patina. Perhaps one could think it to be a false patina to make the piece seem older?

Nice Chokwe axe Lew. I really appreciate the input. I can feel better about this piece I think.

Tim Simmons · 12th May 2006, 03:48 PM

Nice natural patina, you can add wax if you like or give it to me.

Flavio · 12th May 2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Hi Naga Warrior

The axe is chokwe and it's no fake here is one from my collection for comparison.

Lew

Hello Lew, i don't think that is chokwe. On Westerdijik's book there are two axes that are similar to the one on discussion: one is attributed to the LELE in the sphere of KUBA people and the other at the MBALA near, but not neighbor, to the chokwe. If i can, later or tomorrow i will post the pictures of the book.

Lew · 12th May 2006, 09:55 PM

Flavio

Are you referring to my axe or Naga's axe or both not being Chokwe?

Lew

Flavio · 12th May 2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Flavio

Are you referring to my axe or Naga's axe or both not being Chokwe?

Lew

No Lew, yours is clearly (and a very nice) chokwe axe

Luc LEFEBVRE · 12th May 2006, 10:22 PM

Seems to be a good one !
Luc

Mapico1 · 14th May 2006, 09:50 PM

Hi,this is a Pendé axe from the 1930ies in my opinion,the one from Lew clearly Tsjokwé.Regards,Danny

Lew · 14th May 2006, 10:25 PM

Hi Danny

I see you finally joined the forum Welcome to our world

Lew

12th May 2006, 02:34 AM	#1
Nagawarrior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Inland Empire, Southern California USA Posts: 160	African axe or fake? Hi all. Been busy posting here. Its certainly addictive. I'm thankful for all of your comments and patients. Here I have an African axe or so I thought. I was told by a dealer that saw it on my wall it was a fake. Now I'm worried. Your opinions are needed. It look real too me, but I'm no expert. Thanks! Stephen*

12th May 2006, 02:37 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Before Judging I think one has to define 'Fake' . /I feel a bout of deja vu coming on .

12th May 2006, 11:25 AM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Naga Warrior The axe is chokwe and it's no fake here is one from my collection for comparison. Lew Attached Images

12th May 2006, 06:55 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,736	The dealer is talking nonsense. I think it is a Shona axe or possibly Chokwe either way you are looking at the southern part of Africa, western for Chokwe and more easterly for Shona. I like it, early 20th cent?

12th May 2006, 09:21 AM	#4
Rather Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hamburg, Germany Posts: 72	I would agree to Tim, it doesn't look like a fairly new souvenir for tourists. Especially the carved part shows signs of aging and it could we well about 80 years old. I think it’s “Genuine”, (which also has to be defined )

12th May 2006, 09:47 AM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Nice axe Stephen and for sure it's no a fake!!!!

12th May 2006, 10:29 AM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Is the handle varnished, it looks like it in one of the photos? If it is... it could make a piece look 'plasticky' (another technical term which is bad English and spelling). Certainly wouldn't constitute a 'fake' because of it though.

12th May 2006, 03:48 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,736	Nice natural patina, you can add wax if you like or give it to me.

12th May 2006, 09:55 PM	#11
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Flavio Are you referring to my axe or Naga's axe or both not being Chokwe? Lew

12th May 2006, 10:22 PM	#13
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	Seems to be a good one ! Luc

14th May 2006, 09:50 PM	#14
Mapico1 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 86	Hi,this is a Pendé axe from the 1930ies in my opinion,the one from Lew clearly Tsjokwé.Regards,Danny

14th May 2006, 10:25 PM	#15
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Danny I see you finally joined the forum Welcome to our world Lew