Two Axes; One Shona & one Australian Aboriginal ??

[drac2k]

I just picked up these 2 axes; one I believe to be a Shona Gano Tsomho Axe and the other one to be an Australian Aboriginal Kodj Axe.
The stone ax was listed in other places as Native American, but I'm sure the
Australian refrence is correct.
The Stone ax has a massive head and it measures 24" tall x 7" accross and 3"wide.
Information is rather scarce on this item, so any comments would be appreciated

[colin henshaw]

A couple of nice pieces.

The African axe is of the type usually associated with the Shona speaking peoples of Zimbabwe and surrounding area.

The stone headed item looks like a Plains American Indian hammer or maul. Used for several domestic purposes including breaking animal bones, hammering in tent pegs and similar. (ref. "Indian and Eskimo Artifacts of North America" by Charles Miles).

[drac2k]

Thank you Colin.I was happy with the Australian attributions, but to have it be a Plains Indian artifact is really exciting;would you guess the age to be 1880s/1890s?

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thank you Colin.I was happy with the Australian attributions, but to have it be a Plains Indian artifact is really exciting;would you guess the age to be 1880s/1890s?

Yes, that age range seems about right in my view, could even be earlier. I once had a similar but shorter example that an American art dealer confirmed to me as Plains Indian.

[drac2k]

Thanks Again !!!

[Tim Simmons]

Two examples from {Indian & Eskimo Artifacts of North America, Charles Miles, Bonanaz, 1963} Plains hammers but you could easy hit somebodies head with them.