Interesting African Axe.
 

Hi All

Would this be considered a Zulu axe?



Lew

Hi Lew, I have never seen "true" zulu axe. I think that they didn't used war axe :shrug:

Flavio

This looks like a stabbing type axe to me and seems to be more of a real fighting axe than ceremonial one. I checked Artzi's website and there are similar ones listed as Zulu/Tsonga.



Lew

That was a super buy. I was watching but got distracted. I am thinking that to say these pieces are this or that is really almost impossible in today's world. It is a fine example of the sort of axe that was in common usage in the S.E Africa and that would include a great many tribes. I think it is from further north than Zulu and I would put it in the early 20th century. A nice piece I am glad for you that I forgot about it. Might not be so easy next time big boy :eek: :cool: :D

Lew

sure this is a "real" weapon and also on his book Spring says that were used for stabbing and for slashing, but on books they are attributed to the Tsonga-Venda (border line between South Africa and Mozanbico). From what I know all the axe that I have seen attributed to the zulu are shona, venda etc. The explanation could be that when the zulu had englobed other people in their reign (but to be honest I don't know if also the Venda and the tsonga were englobed) they also had started to used the axes as weapons... :shrug: ... just a guess....

[QUOTE=Tim Simmons]That was a super buy. I was watching but got distracted.

Tim

You fell victim to my Jedi mind control trick :eek: ;) :cool:

The farce :eek: :eek:

Hi Lew,
congrats looks to be a fantastic functional axe. I have to agree with the view that this is not Zulu......many 'Zulu' axes seem to be Shona...whether these were gifts or war trophies seem unclear. I have found no reference to the use of an axe in battle...during the Zulu wars. However, I am wondering whether pre-Shaka (and the use of the 'shortened' spear) ...this type of weapon (an axe such as yours) may have been used instead, as a 'medium/short range' weapon. :shrug:

Hi All

The axe arrived today. I had to straighten the tip back to true and clean it lightly with 0000 steel wool to get some white paint splatters off. A small amount of polish and here it is. :) The blade was a bit rusty so some steel wool a WD-40 cleaned it up nice without messing up the patina on the blade.



Lew

Congratulations Lew, the patination on the handle is simply great!!!!! :)

Yes fantastic patina !
Luc