Hand Axe Help

[Al Shamal]

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

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

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.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Al Shamal]

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...

[VANDOO]

IT STRIKES ME AS SCANDINAVIAN BUT THATS JUST A WILD GUESS, WHATEVER IT IS I LIKE IT.

[Al Shamal]

Salam,

me to!

[ronpakis]

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

[Atlantia]

Oh god these axes are a puzzle sometimes.
What are those panels? are they the silver on brass parts you mention?

[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.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

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,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[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

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

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,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Al Shamal]

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!!

[Rick]

Maybe this one deserves its own thread ?

[Al Shamal]

Salam Rick,
Ya, perhaps should have

[Al Shamal]

Salam,

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