Kuki Naga Axe or …?

DaveA · 22nd November 2015, 08:31 PM

Hello All,

I am pleased to have won a very unusual axe at auction, previously identified as mak. See image #1. Photo courtesy of Auctions Imperial.

However, based on the shape of the blade, I believe that it may be an axe originating with the Kuki Naga residing in eastern Assam, India and extending into northern Myanmar (where they are known as the Chin). See image #2.

It also resembles a dao from the Kabui Naga (residing near Manipur, Assam, India). See image #3.

However, the pole haft does not look like any sword dao I've seen from any Naga tribe in Assam. Rather, it looks agricultural in purpose (although many SE Asia tools double as weapons). Could the blade have been remounted?

I'll post more pictures of the item when it arrives!

What do you think?

Dave A.

Tim Simmons · 22nd November 2015, 10:17 PM

I do not think this is Naga. I believe these are from further south and east possibly by quite a long way. They are in the archive I think.

Sajen · 23rd November 2015, 10:09 PM

Hello Dave,

it is correct described from Auctions Imperial. It's a mak from Cambodia, Khmer IMVHO.

Regards,
Detlef

Royston · 23rd November 2015, 10:47 PM

This is a typical Kuki.
Yours is a mak.
Regards
Roy

23rd November 2015, 10:47 PM	#4
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Kuki This is a typical Kuki. Yours is a mak. Regards Roy Attached Images

22nd November 2015, 08:31 PM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Kuki Naga Axe or …? Hello All, I am pleased to have won a very unusual axe at auction, previously identified as mak. See image #1. Photo courtesy of Auctions Imperial. However, based on the shape of the blade, I believe that it may be an axe originating with the Kuki Naga residing in eastern Assam, India and extending into northern Myanmar (where they are known as the Chin). See image #2. It also resembles a dao from the Kabui Naga (residing near Manipur, Assam, India). See image #3. However, the pole haft does not look like any sword dao I've seen from any Naga tribe in Assam. Rather, it looks agricultural in purpose (although many SE Asia tools double as weapons). Could the blade have been remounted? I'll post more pictures of the item when it arrives! What do you think? Dave A. Attached Images Last edited by DaveA; 22nd November 2015 at 09:08 PM. Reason: added photo courtesy citation

22nd November 2015, 10:17 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I do not think this is Naga. I believe these are from further south and east possibly by quite a long way. They are in the archive I think.

23rd November 2015, 10:09 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	Hello Dave, it is correct described from Auctions Imperial. It's a mak from Cambodia, Khmer IMVHO. Regards, Detlef