Songye axe heads

Marcus · 20th August 2016, 05:45 PM

Does anyone know if there is any special significance to the heads cast or carved into the metal supports of the Songye axe heads?

The first four pictures are of my example and the others are from the archives of Oriental Arms.

colin henshaw · 25th August 2016, 11:11 AM

According to the Pitt-Rivers website ... these axes were symbols of high status, carried by chiefs. The heads incorporated in the design represent those tribal groups which are subordinate to him. ??

Pieje · 25th August 2016, 01:16 PM

I don't remember the meaning of these heads, but these Songye axes, looking very attractive, are made in great quantities, already around 1900, and thus many can be considered as early touristic objects (what doesn't mean they aren't of great quality and workmanship).
Those with copper handle are considered older than the examples with reptile skin.

Large axes exist with as many as 100 heads :-)

VANDOO · 1st September 2016, 04:53 PM

HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING VARIATIONS OF THE SONGYE AXES. THE WAR AXES HAD PLAIN STEEL BLADES SOMETIMES PIERCED WITH HOLES. THE ONES WITH COPPER OR BRASS BLADES OR FANCY INLAY OF OTHER METALS WERE FOR STATUS AND CEREMONY. AS FAR AS I KNOW THE ONES WITH LARGE BLADES WITH THE OPENWORK TWISTED METAL AND CARVED FACES WERE ALL FOR STATUS AND CEREMONY AND BLADES WERE MADE OF HEAVY IRON.
#1. 15. 75 INCHES X 11 INCHES. CONGO NSAPO HAS 8 FACES
#2. 17.75 INCHES, SONGYE AX 11 FACES
#3. 19TH. CENTURY SONGYE, CENTRAL CONGO
#4. 16 INCHES , TETALA AX, CONGO
#5., #6. & #7. VERY INTRICATE SONGYE NAZAPAZAP
#8. & #9. 33.5 CM. SONGYE AX COPPER BLADE.
#10 SONGYE AX WITH INLAYED BLADE
#11. & #12 SONGYE AX BRASS BLADE.

VANDOO · 1st September 2016, 05:10 PM

A FEW MORE EXAMPLES. #1. & #2. THE SAME SONGE AX
#3. THRU. #7 VARIOUS SONGE AXES.
#8. 17 inch x 6 in. FIGHTING AXE
9 THRU #12. VARIOUS SONGE AXES

VANDOO · 1st September 2016, 10:39 PM

FIVE MORE AND THAT'S ALL FOLKS

BUT PERHAPS I MISSED SOMETHING.

ENJOY

20th August 2016, 05:45 PM	#1
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Songye axe heads Does anyone know if there is any special significance to the heads cast or carved into the metal supports of the Songye axe heads? The first four pictures are of my example and the others are from the archives of Oriental Arms. Attached Images

25th August 2016, 11:11 AM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	According to the Pitt-Rivers website ... these axes were symbols of high status, carried by chiefs. The heads incorporated in the design represent those tribal groups which are subordinate to him. ??

25th August 2016, 01:16 PM	#3
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	I don't remember the meaning of these heads, but these Songye axes, looking very attractive, are made in great quantities, already around 1900, and thus many can be considered as early touristic objects (what doesn't mean they aren't of great quality and workmanship). Those with copper handle are considered older than the examples with reptile skin. Large axes exist with as many as 100 heads :-)

1st September 2016, 04:53 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING VARIATIONS OF THE SONGYE AXES. THE WAR AXES HAD PLAIN STEEL BLADES SOMETIMES PIERCED WITH HOLES. THE ONES WITH COPPER OR BRASS BLADES OR FANCY INLAY OF OTHER METALS WERE FOR STATUS AND CEREMONY. AS FAR AS I KNOW THE ONES WITH LARGE BLADES WITH THE OPENWORK TWISTED METAL AND CARVED FACES WERE ALL FOR STATUS AND CEREMONY AND BLADES WERE MADE OF HEAVY IRON. #1. 15. 75 INCHES X 11 INCHES. CONGO NSAPO HAS 8 FACES #2. 17.75 INCHES, SONGYE AX 11 FACES #3. 19TH. CENTURY SONGYE, CENTRAL CONGO #4. 16 INCHES , TETALA AX, CONGO #5., #6. & #7. VERY INTRICATE SONGYE NAZAPAZAP #8. & #9. 33.5 CM. SONGYE AX COPPER BLADE. #10 SONGYE AX WITH INLAYED BLADE #11. & #12 SONGYE AX BRASS BLADE. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 1st September 2016 at 05:24 PM.

1st September 2016, 05:10 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A FEW MORE EXAMPLES. #1. & #2. THE SAME SONGE AX #3. THRU. #7 VARIOUS SONGE AXES. #8. 17 inch x 6 in. FIGHTING AXE 9 THRU #12. VARIOUS SONGE AXES Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 1st September 2016 at 06:42 PM.

1st September 2016, 10:39 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	FIVE MORE AND THAT'S ALL FOLKS BUT PERHAPS I MISSED SOMETHING. ENJOY Attached Images