Wire work axe

Tim Simmons · 30th September 2010, 09:59 AM

This perfect example that "graeme" shows us, along with Ron's homeland knowledge. Is a great opportunity to have a South African, indeed African axe frenzy, its been a long time.
This one is one of my most treasured items. A member here helped me secure this piece back in the days when I knew what money was. Simple elegant beauty not quite as perfect as graeme shows but you just got to love that bronze blade.
As to whether these are status pieces or fighting axes? They have working edges, they are not made to cut lumber but to inflict serious injuries to people fighting in little more than underpants. I think they are more than heavy enough to do this. I can just imagine a blow to the collar bone and arm joint making life just that little bit more difficult.

graeme gt · 30th September 2010, 11:16 AM

Very nice Tim,you are correct they would inflict considerable damage but i cant see your Joe Bloggs Zulu owning one of these babies.will post some more axe pics.

Ron Anderson · 1st October 2010, 12:24 AM

Hi Tim/Graeme

I would say that these are certainly fine, both pieces. Not your everyday Zulu axe.

Though Graeme's is finer, that bronze blade is something quite extraordinary I think for any African item.

I would think Graeme is right on this. These must have been carried by people of importance, but that doesn't mean they are strictly ceremonial pieces. Of course, both Zulu and Swazi are very big on their "traditional weapons" even today, so it's not at all a stretch to see these belonging to dignitaries, even royalty. But they wouldn't be traditional weapons if they were not functioning weapons, not in those societies.

My guess is that Graeme's in particular belonged to someone of importance, behaps royalty, or a chief. And Tim's is likewise of a quality that wouldn't be seen often.

I'm surprised at the bronze blade. I don't believe I've ever seen a bronze weapon from that part of the world. Iron, certainly. Steel, certainly.

Do either of you have any sense of what the age of your axe might be?

I would place them well into the era of white rule.

Ron Anderson · 1st October 2010, 12:26 AM

Hi Tim/Graeme

I would say that these are certainly fine, both pieces. Not your everyday Zulu axe.

Though Graeme's is finer, that bronze blade is something quite extraordinary I think for any African item.

I would think Graeme is right on this. These must have been carried by people of importance, but that doesn't mean they are strictly ceremonial pieces. Of course, both Zulu and Swazi are very big on their "traditional weapons" even today, so it's not at all a stretch to see these belonging to dignitaries, even royalty. But they wouldn't be traditional weapons if they were not functioning weapons, not in those societies.

My guess is that Graeme's in particular belonged to someone of importance, perhaps royalty, or a chief. And Tim's is likewise of a quality that wouldn't be seen often.

I'm surprised at the bronze blade. I don't believe I've ever seen a bronze weapon from that part of the world. Iron, certainly. Steel, certainly. Bronze –no.

And I can't ever recall seeing bronze Zulu (in fact, South African) artefacts or curios either.

Do either of you have any sense of what the age of your axe might be?

I would place them well into the era of white rule.

graeme gt · 1st October 2010, 04:36 PM

Thanks guys very informative you might like this one its a tour de force on the wirework front i think its older.

Ron Anderson · 2nd October 2010, 02:57 AM

Another very nice axe!

Definitely older.

I notice this wire isn't two-toned (two colours).

Tim Simmons · 5th October 2010, 07:09 PM

I have had this buried at the back of the toy box because at first glance it appears plain and dull. However on reappraisal and looking at the folding of the matal of the axe blade. It is clear that effort was key to forming this blade. An axe is a good weapon if steel is not the most abundant material to hand. I suspect this axe to be a throwing axe, but have not found any writing that mentions South African throwing axes. The reason I suspect this is that the blade is heavy and as the haft is short, does not feel comfortable to swing with any accurate control in one hand. Swing it to throw and it feels correct.

Ron Anderson · 5th October 2010, 09:24 PM

That's a very big toy box you've got their, Tim.

Will check up on throwing axes. Not too sure either. However, as you know, throwing knives are fairly common a little further north. And I've heard of the practice of throwing clubs.

30th September 2010, 09:59 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	This perfect example that "graeme" shows us, along with Ron's homeland knowledge. Is a great opportunity to have a South African, indeed African axe frenzy, its been a long time. This one is one of my most treasured items. A member here helped me secure this piece back in the days when I knew what money was. Simple elegant beauty not quite as perfect as graeme shows but you just got to love that bronze blade. As to whether these are status pieces or fighting axes? They have working edges, they are not made to cut lumber but to inflict serious injuries to people fighting in little more than underpants. I think they are more than heavy enough to do this. I can just imagine a blow to the collar bone and arm joint making life just that little bit more difficult. Attached Images

1st October 2010, 04:36 PM	#5
graeme gt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 97	Thanks guys very informative you might like this one its a tour de force on the wirework front i think its older. Attached Images

5th October 2010, 07:09 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Just keeping it rolling. I have had this buried at the back of the toy box because at first glance it appears plain and dull. However on reappraisal and looking at the folding of the matal of the axe blade. It is clear that effort was key to forming this blade. An axe is a good weapon if steel is not the most abundant material to hand. I suspect this axe to be a throwing axe, but have not found any writing that mentions South African throwing axes. The reason I suspect this is that the blade is heavy and as the haft is short, does not feel comfortable to swing with any accurate control in one hand. Swing it to throw and it feels correct. Attached Images

30th September 2010, 11:16 AM	#2
graeme gt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 97	Very nice Tim,you are correct they would inflict considerable damage but i cant see your Joe Bloggs Zulu owning one of these babies.will post some more axe pics.

1st October 2010, 12:24 AM	#3
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Tim/Graeme I would say that these are certainly fine, both pieces. Not your everyday Zulu axe. Though Graeme's is finer, that bronze blade is something quite extraordinary I think for any African item. I would think Graeme is right on this. These must have been carried by people of importance, but that doesn't mean they are strictly ceremonial pieces. Of course, both Zulu and Swazi are very big on their "traditional weapons" even today, so it's not at all a stretch to see these belonging to dignitaries, even royalty. But they wouldn't be traditional weapons if they were not functioning weapons, not in those societies. My guess is that Graeme's in particular belonged to someone of importance, behaps royalty, or a chief. And Tim's is likewise of a quality that wouldn't be seen often. I'm surprised at the bronze blade. I don't believe I've ever seen a bronze weapon from that part of the world. Iron, certainly. Steel, certainly. Do either of you have any sense of what the age of your axe might be? I would place them well into the era of white rule.

1st October 2010, 12:26 AM	#4
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Tim/Graeme I would say that these are certainly fine, both pieces. Not your everyday Zulu axe. Though Graeme's is finer, that bronze blade is something quite extraordinary I think for any African item. I would think Graeme is right on this. These must have been carried by people of importance, but that doesn't mean they are strictly ceremonial pieces. Of course, both Zulu and Swazi are very big on their "traditional weapons" even today, so it's not at all a stretch to see these belonging to dignitaries, even royalty. But they wouldn't be traditional weapons if they were not functioning weapons, not in those societies. My guess is that Graeme's in particular belonged to someone of importance, perhaps royalty, or a chief. And Tim's is likewise of a quality that wouldn't be seen often. I'm surprised at the bronze blade. I don't believe I've ever seen a bronze weapon from that part of the world. Iron, certainly. Steel, certainly. Bronze –no. And I can't ever recall seeing bronze Zulu (in fact, South African) artefacts or curios either. Do either of you have any sense of what the age of your axe might be? I would place them well into the era of white rule.

2nd October 2010, 02:57 AM	#6
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Another very nice axe! Definitely older. I notice this wire isn't two-toned (two colours).

5th October 2010, 09:24 PM	#8
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	That's a very big toy box you've got their, Tim. Will check up on throwing axes. Not too sure either. However, as you know, throwing knives are fairly common a little further north. And I've heard of the practice of throwing clubs.