African ceremonial axes

Ron Anderson · 16th September 2010, 12:53 PM

What are these and what is their story?

I found them together. They are two really interesting items full of animal figures. The one has a bull head, the other a cobra head. They have geckos and frogs and snakes along the blade. In the axe itself is another animal - perhaps a jackal or a dog.

What I really love about these is that they remind me of ancient bronze works from Medea or Luristan. Except these are not bronze age Eurasia, they're 20th century Africa.

I suspect these are west African but I could be mistaken. I would say Nigeria or Ivory Coast. Again, just a gut feel. Could be central African - Zaire or somesuch. I would be very surprised if they were far North or South of that area.

They may not be that old. I don't know. It is hard to tell with this type of metal. However, I'm sure they're not all that recent.

16th September 2010, 12:53 PM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	African ceremonial axes What are these and what is their story? I found them together. They are two really interesting items full of animal figures. The one has a bull head, the other a cobra head. They have geckos and frogs and snakes along the blade. In the axe itself is another animal - perhaps a jackal or a dog. What I really love about these is that they remind me of ancient bronze works from Medea or Luristan. Except these are not bronze age Eurasia, they're 20th century Africa. I suspect these are west African but I could be mistaken. I would say Nigeria or Ivory Coast. Again, just a gut feel. Could be central African - Zaire or somesuch. I would be very surprised if they were far North or South of that area. They may not be that old. I don't know. It is hard to tell with this type of metal. However, I'm sure they're not all that recent. Attached Images