Islamic Axe for I D and Comment

A.alnakkas · 14th June 2011, 09:51 AM

Hey Stu,

Not much I can add but this look very similar to one on Gav's website. I find the form very interesting and reminescent of the Omani axe.

VANDOO · 14th June 2011, 04:52 PM

IT LOOKS GOOD TO ME, CONGRADULATIONS

THE PATINA IS GOOD AND NOTHING NEW HAS BEEN RECENTLY ADDED, THE WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS ARE GOOD THROUGH- OUT. LOOKS LIKE A GOOD OLD PRESTIEGE ITEM NO DOUBT A TREASURED OBJECT TO ITS ORIGINAL OWNER. HOPEFULLY A MEMBER WITH MORE KNOWLEGE CAN SUPPLY MORE INFORMATION AS TO TRIBE AND ORIGIN. GOOD LUCK!

Jim McDougall · 14th June 2011, 06:28 PM

While African axes are not something I am overly familiar with, I am inclined to agree this is likely something Omani, and distinctly linked to the kinds of axes used by Bantu slavers mid 19th century both utilitarian and as weapons.
The wood seems similar to the axe which appears on Gavs site as noted, in which case the poll of the head extends through the haft.

The appears an embellished example, and the chain attached to the haft and linked to the aperture in the poll recall the chainguards on many Hadhramauti sa'ifs which would have been well known to Omani merchants in traffic to Zanzibar. The connections between the Bantu and Omani merchants in the slaving commerce is of course well established in these times.

This is plausibly the axe of a merchant of either Zanzibar or East Africa and likely an individual of status and clearly Muslim. The accoutrements of the Omani merchants were it would seem often well decorated and fashionable and this would have been a most attractively worn item.

All best regards,
Jim

Dom · 14th June 2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This is plausibly the axe of a merchant of either Zanzibar or East Africa and likely an individual of status and clearly Muslim. The accoutrements of the Omani merchants were it would seem often well decorated and fashionable and this would have been a most attractively worn item.

Hi Stu
I just discovered that hypothesis,
that reaches completely what I suspected

I think that should be a good track

all the best

à +

Dom

Atlantia · 15th June 2011, 12:21 AM

Well Stu,
you had faith in this from the start.
My twin theories of Ottoman coin or copy of, and North Afrcian axe bite the dust!

LOL, well done mate. A good addition to the Arabian museum

Best Humble pie,
Gene

Lew · 15th June 2011, 04:31 AM

I would think this is from one of the tribes from the Congo definitely not Omani. The coin seems to be an old add on most Congolese axes did not come with pinned down heads. I will check my books and get back to you.

Jim McDougall · 15th June 2011, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

I would think this is from one of the tribes from the Congo definitely not Omani. The coin seems to be an old add on most Congolese axes did not come with pinned down heads. I will check my books and get back to you.

Do the Congo tribes often add the decorative chain ? I thought of the Omani's because of thier trading activity in East Africa, as well as the Banti type 'slavers' axes. The chain recalls those type chains on Hadhramauti sa'ifs, a feature likely often seen in the Arab trade routes to East Africa. This style axe in variation seems to be diffused through the Central African regions into the Sahel as far as I can see, but the decorative activity here seems Omani/East African to me.

kahnjar1 · 15th June 2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Well Stu,
you had faith in this from the start.
My twin theories of Ottoman coin or copy of, and North Afrcian axe bite the dust!

LOL, well done mate. A good addition to the Arabian museum

Best Humble pie,
Gene

............I think the jury is still out..............and no humble pie required. Discussion and opinions are how we come to a result.

Gavin Nugent · 15th June 2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

............I think the jury is still out..............and no humble pie required. Discussion and opinions are how we come to a result.

Here here.....lots of pondering is still required.

Gav

Atlantia · 15th June 2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

............I think the jury is still out..............and no humble pie required. Discussion and opinions are how we come to a result.

I'll keep it warm for later then.

But seriously. I completely agree. The search for facts is what's important. Being proven wrong by the uncovering of the truth is still a victory of knowledge over ignorance, and that's what matters

In short I'm happy to be proven wrong if I learn something.

My small addition to this particular quest is that the 'medalion' with it's laurel wreath border and islamic script is something that is reminiscent of Ottoman coins. Including far flung ones from places like Egypt and Tunisia.
These coin designs sometimes survive in odd ways long after they have become an anacronism.
Look at tokens, gaming counters and the like made in European nations?

This experience with axes recently has shown me that I need to expand my knowledge in that area.
In fact axes, spears, shaft weapons in general. Too many subtle differences I was unaware of!

14th June 2011, 09:51 AM	#1
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Hey Stu, Not much I can add but this look very similar to one on Gav's website. I find the form very interesting and reminescent of the Omani axe.

14th June 2011, 04:52 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT LOOKS GOOD TO ME, CONGRADULATIONS THE PATINA IS GOOD AND NOTHING NEW HAS BEEN RECENTLY ADDED, THE WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS ARE GOOD THROUGH- OUT. LOOKS LIKE A GOOD OLD PRESTIEGE ITEM NO DOUBT A TREASURED OBJECT TO ITS ORIGINAL OWNER. HOPEFULLY A MEMBER WITH MORE KNOWLEGE CAN SUPPLY MORE INFORMATION AS TO TRIBE AND ORIGIN. GOOD LUCK!

14th June 2011, 06:28 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,458	While African axes are not something I am overly familiar with, I am inclined to agree this is likely something Omani, and distinctly linked to the kinds of axes used by Bantu slavers mid 19th century both utilitarian and as weapons. The wood seems similar to the axe which appears on Gavs site as noted, in which case the poll of the head extends through the haft. The appears an embellished example, and the chain attached to the haft and linked to the aperture in the poll recall the chainguards on many Hadhramauti sa'ifs which would have been well known to Omani merchants in traffic to Zanzibar. The connections between the Bantu and Omani merchants in the slaving commerce is of course well established in these times. This is plausibly the axe of a merchant of either Zanzibar or East Africa and likely an individual of status and clearly Muslim. The accoutrements of the Omani merchants were it would seem often well decorated and fashionable and this would have been a most attractively worn item. All best regards, Jim

15th June 2011, 12:21 AM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Well Stu, you had faith in this from the start. My twin theories of Ottoman coin or copy of, and North Afrcian axe bite the dust! LOL, well done mate. A good addition to the Arabian museum Best Humble pie, Gene

15th June 2011, 04:31 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I would think this is from one of the tribes from the Congo definitely not Omani. The coin seems to be an old add on most Congolese axes did not come with pinned down heads. I will check my books and get back to you.