Fake Persian axe??

Kubur · 2nd June 2014, 10:12 PM

Hello,

Do you think this Persian / Qajar axe is a fake?
How to reconize a good piece??
Thanks

Regards
K

RSWORD · 3rd June 2014, 04:29 AM

How do you define fake? Modern made but in the style of Persian Qajar period axes? If that is your definition of fake, then no, this is not a fake. It is a late Qajar period axe. How do you recognize a good piece? Depends on what your definition of a good piece. What do you look for in a good piece? This could be considered a good piece for a number of collectors and this could be considered a fairly average piece for a number of other collectors. I think you have to determine what you are looking for yourself. Do you want a functional, battle worthy piece? Then this is not it. Do you want a piece that is probably of wootz steel? Then this is not it. Do you want a piece that has fine chiseling? Then this is not it. Looks to be an etched pattern. Do you want a piece that is legitimately Persian and of the Qajar period that would be used in theatre or ceremonies? Then this is a perfectly good example.

Oliver Pinchot · 3rd June 2014, 04:48 AM

Couldn't agree more, Rick.
I would add only that, like most of this type, it is assembled in three pieces. Somewhere along the line, the head was inverted.

Cthulhu · 3rd June 2014, 07:24 AM

I've seen these with the "tail" of solid metal, of hollow box construction like this, and also as simply a flat piece of metal of a vaguely similar shape. Do those represent further abstractions of each other, and are they from specific time periods?

Kubur · 3rd June 2014, 11:25 AM

Thank you very much both!!

My question is related to some extensions between the pole and the blade.
In most of the Persian axes that I have seen there is no such little intermediary pieces (in red).

I'm right or wrong??

Oliver Pinchot · 4th June 2014, 01:39 AM

Cthulhu's observation is a good one. By the latter Qajar Dynasty, more complex construction, and by extension, imagery, usually preceded simpler work. This was driven largely by expense: if a dragon's head which was cut out of sheet looked indistinguishable from one more carefully wrought when viewed in profile, a shift in production could take place quickly. Kubur's question as to the construction of the head and the appearance of the blocks indicate workmanship of a higher grade; this is supported by the complex construction of the pean as well.

Nasr alDin Shah Qajar singlehandedly revived the arms-making industry in Iran during the second half of the 19th century. The products wrought by smiths in this period are often of excellent quality. They represented a brilliant if brief rebirth of the armorer's craft before its ultimate demise.

ariel · 7th June 2014, 02:24 PM

Currently it cannot be called a fake, because after 100 years anything becomes antique:-)

But it is certainly not a fighting example and never was. Any fighting axe has a wedge-like profile. This one is flat.

Decorative would be a better word.

2nd June 2014, 10:12 PM	#1
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Fake Persian axe?? Hello, Do you think this Persian / Qajar axe is a fake? How to reconize a good piece?? Thanks Regards K Attached Images

3rd June 2014, 11:25 AM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Thank you very much both!! My question is related to some extensions between the pole and the blade. In most of the Persian axes that I have seen there is no such little intermediary pieces (in red). I'm right or wrong?? Attached Images

3rd June 2014, 04:29 AM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	How do you define fake? Modern made but in the style of Persian Qajar period axes? If that is your definition of fake, then no, this is not a fake. It is a late Qajar period axe. How do you recognize a good piece? Depends on what your definition of a good piece. What do you look for in a good piece? This could be considered a good piece for a number of collectors and this could be considered a fairly average piece for a number of other collectors. I think you have to determine what you are looking for yourself. Do you want a functional, battle worthy piece? Then this is not it. Do you want a piece that is probably of wootz steel? Then this is not it. Do you want a piece that has fine chiseling? Then this is not it. Looks to be an etched pattern. Do you want a piece that is legitimately Persian and of the Qajar period that would be used in theatre or ceremonies? Then this is a perfectly good example.

3rd June 2014, 04:48 AM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	Couldn't agree more, Rick. I would add only that, like most of this type, it is assembled in three pieces. Somewhere along the line, the head was inverted.

3rd June 2014, 07:24 AM	#4
Cthulhu Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Central Valley, California Posts: 46	I've seen these with the "tail" of solid metal, of hollow box construction like this, and also as simply a flat piece of metal of a vaguely similar shape. Do those represent further abstractions of each other, and are they from specific time periods?

4th June 2014, 01:39 AM	#6
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	Cthulhu's observation is a good one. By the latter Qajar Dynasty, more complex construction, and by extension, imagery, usually preceded simpler work. This was driven largely by expense: if a dragon's head which was cut out of sheet looked indistinguishable from one more carefully wrought when viewed in profile, a shift in production could take place quickly. Kubur's question as to the construction of the head and the appearance of the blocks indicate workmanship of a higher grade; this is supported by the complex construction of the pean as well. Nasr alDin Shah Qajar singlehandedly revived the arms-making industry in Iran during the second half of the 19th century. The products wrought by smiths in this period are often of excellent quality. They represented a brilliant if brief rebirth of the armorer's craft before its ultimate demise.

7th June 2014, 02:24 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Currently it cannot be called a fake, because after 100 years anything becomes antique:-) But it is certainly not a fighting example and never was. Any fighting axe has a wedge-like profile. This one is flat. Decorative would be a better word.