African Axe Needs restoration

Lew · 15th July 2006, 04:03 PM

Hi All

I couldn't pass this one up. I will do a clean up and restortion job on it to bring it back to it's past glory. The haft looks in good shape so some fine steel wool and wax should do the job. The axe head will need some more work though. Will post picture before and after.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICAN-ART-KUBA...QQcmdZViewItem

Lew

Freddy · 15th July 2006, 04:57 PM

Hi Lew,

Perhaps you already know, but this is not a Kuba axe. In fact, it's from the Songye tribe in Congo.

I have one with a similar blade. The decoration is a bit different. Notice the nice zigzag pattern on the blade.
The handle is covered with lizard skin.

Tim Simmons · 15th July 2006, 05:57 PM

Jolly good show!!!

Justin · 16th July 2006, 05:18 PM

Nice Axes! These look a little more like weapons than most African axes,is that the case? or are these ceremonial like most of the others?

Lew · 25th July 2006, 06:02 AM

I'm still waiting for the axe but here is a quick pic of the ones I have up on the wall so far.

Lew

Lew · 26th July 2006, 03:57 AM

The axe arrived today and I worked on it for an hour with fine steel wool and Briwax. Here are the after pics but unfortunately the seller removed the old pics so no comparison can be made.

Those who saw it can remember it was in pretty bad shape.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 26th July 2006, 07:15 PM

Well done, a real snip. Looks great

.

Lew · 26th July 2006, 10:02 PM

Tim

Did you ever notice some of these Congo pieces often smell smokey like burnt wood? The axe and a Shi sword that I have both smell in this same manner.

Lew

15th July 2006, 04:03 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	African Axe Needs restoration Hi All I couldn't pass this one up. I will do a clean up and restortion job on it to bring it back to it's past glory. The haft looks in good shape so some fine steel wool and wax should do the job. The axe head will need some more work though. Will post picture before and after. http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICAN-ART-KUBA...QQcmdZViewItem Lew

15th July 2006, 04:57 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Good axe ! Hi Lew, Perhaps you already know, but this is not a Kuba axe. In fact, it's from the Songye tribe in Congo. I have one with a similar blade. The decoration is a bit different. Notice the nice zigzag pattern on the blade. The handle is covered with lizard skin.

25th July 2006, 06:02 AM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I'm still waiting for the axe but here is a quick pic of the ones I have up on the wall so far. Lew Attached Images

26th July 2006, 03:57 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The axe arrived today and I worked on it for an hour with fine steel wool and Briwax. Here are the after pics but unfortunately the seller removed the old pics so no comparison can be made. Those who saw it can remember it was in pretty bad shape. Lew Attached Images

15th July 2006, 05:57 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,824	Jolly good show!!!

16th July 2006, 05:18 PM	#4
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Nice Axes! These look a little more like weapons than most African axes,is that the case? or are these ceremonial like most of the others?

26th July 2006, 07:15 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,824	Well done, a real snip. Looks great .

26th July 2006, 10:02 PM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim Did you ever notice some of these Congo pieces often smell smokey like burnt wood? The axe and a Shi sword that I have both smell in this same manner. Lew