Africa ceremonial axe Mumuye

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th September 2006, 06:39 PM

I bought this strange bronze ceremonial axe / sceptre.
The form is really original and well balanced.
37cm / 25cm
Not for a fight of course.
A very nice Tribal object, a sort of "flag".

The Mumuye (north Nigeria) also use a similar axe as currency (see the pic from Danny mapico

)

Luc

Tim Simmons · 13th September 2006, 07:28 PM

Oh yes, more more more!!

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th September 2006, 07:38 PM

OK Tim
Luc

Tim Simmons · 13th September 2006, 07:42 PM

I really like that head holding the blade, very striking piece, superb. Is it the same on the other side?

The Double D · 13th September 2006, 08:32 PM

Does look like a head holding the blade. Unfortunately it looks more like a repair by welding. Who cares, this is a neat piece!!

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th September 2006, 08:56 PM

In fact Tim, it is not a head but the way the blade is fixed to the handle with 2 rivets, Mr Double D is right.
But you have a good eye Tim, I did'nt see the head that appears here.It gives a new look to this axe !
On the other side, one rivet left, there is a little hole.
Luc

Luc LEFEBVRE · 7th November 2006, 11:29 PM

I have found similar in the book "African Metal Implements".
Described as Kapsiki by Peter Westerdijk the curator of this exhibition.
Luc

Tim Simmons · 8th November 2006, 08:22 AM

Excellent, it is so satisfying to find published examples like this.

Battara · 8th November 2006, 08:15 PM

A wonderful piece, thank you for sharing!

13th September 2006, 06:39 PM	#1
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Africa ceremonial axe Mumuye I bought this strange bronze ceremonial axe / sceptre. The form is really original and well balanced. 37cm / 25cm Not for a fight of course. A very nice Tribal object, a sort of "flag". The Mumuye (north Nigeria) also use a similar axe as currency (see the pic from Danny mapico ) Luc Attached Images

13th September 2006, 07:38 PM	#3
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	OK Tim Luc Attached Images

13th September 2006, 08:56 PM	#6
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	In fact Tim, it is not a head but the way the blade is fixed to the handle with 2 rivets, Mr Double D is right. But you have a good eye Tim, I did'nt see the head that appears here.It gives a new look to this axe ! On the other side, one rivet left, there is a little hole. Luc Attached Images

7th November 2006, 11:29 PM	#7
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	KAPSIKI axe I have found similar in the book "African Metal Implements". Described as Kapsiki by Peter Westerdijk the curator of this exhibition. Luc Attached Images

13th September 2006, 07:28 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Oh yes, more more more!!

13th September 2006, 07:42 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	I really like that head holding the blade, very striking piece, superb. Is it the same on the other side?

13th September 2006, 08:32 PM	#5
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	Does look like a head holding the blade. Unfortunately it looks more like a repair by welding. Who cares, this is a neat piece!!

8th November 2006, 08:22 AM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Excellent, it is so satisfying to find published examples like this.

8th November 2006, 08:15 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	A wonderful piece, thank you for sharing!