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#1 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,216
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A friend of mine asked for help in the identification of this Axe. He usually collects Japanese swords and this came with a grouping that he bought many years ago.
My guess is Chinese or some other South East Asian Country; has anyone else seen anything similar? |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,186
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Looks like the head of a makara, a mythical water beast. Could be Tibetan, though the style makes me question this somewhat.
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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"Mythica Hindu Makara in China," is the caption; I definitely think that you are spot on with the Makara identification!
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#4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
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Interesting how the upper end of the haft was dug out to enhance the 'mouth' look. Any dimensions? Ceremonial Pole axe?
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#5 |
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Approx. 12" tall & 10" wide.I noticed that as well(unfortunately the ax is in another state). I was wondering if that might have been an extended barrel that was blown off; maybe this was a combination weapon. I have seen Chinese cannons with dragon motifs.
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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Hi
Very important, I can't see from your pictures, which material is it, brass or iron? |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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Great question; it is made of iron.
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#8 |
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Russia, Moscow
Posts: 368
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I think it looked like these Vietnamese items.
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#9 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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Great picture, it sure looks like a match, thanks! Would you guess the age to be the 19th century; older, newer?
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#10 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
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Good photo, Ren Ren! Looks like you nailed it. A pole axe as I suspected. Wonder what the white bit sticking out the mouths are tho. looks blunt, but I do not think it's a matchlock barrel
![]() Found this photo of a 19c Viet dragon glave and elephant halberd: The halberd's spear-point looks distinctly weird and 'ceremonial' to me. Last edited by kronckew; 5th February 2021 at 06:36 PM. |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?
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#12 |
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Location: Russia, Moscow
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The photo shows the Nam Giao ceremony of sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. It was held on the esplanade of the Imperial Palace in Hue from the beginning of the 19th century until 1945 without changes. Therefore, I find it difficult to guess at what time period the subject belongs.
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#13 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Russia, Moscow
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![]() Quote:
![]() Also I have doubts about the barrel of a firearm. Such a weapon had no sacred power for the Vietnamese and I am not aware of its use in ceremonies. |
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#14 |
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Thanks again!
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#15 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
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