Asmat axe.

Tim Simmons · 25th April 2012, 10:28 PM

I have seen this axe appear and reappear on ebay. It had always cought me eye but I have always been very suspisious of traders around Indonesian ruled Papua. However looking through "The shadows of New Guinea, arts of the great island of Oceania, the collections of the Barbier-Mueller" {I have the French version} a wonderful example is illustrated. I could see that the axe that interested me did indeed follow a tradition and clearly not antique has none the less some age. So I bought it!!!!

Okay it is not lovely like the books example but you have to start somewhere. Also I am into stone I love carving it, I can see the work.

Tim Simmons · 6th February 2013, 09:05 PM

Okay going back some. The axe I bought, the slightly out of focus picture is a rubbish tourist thing. The blade even having part of it formed by glued up sand and grit. However I am now the owner of an axe every bit as good if not better than the example in the Barbier-Mueller. I will show more of it when I have it.

Lew · 7th February 2013, 03:58 AM

Congrats
A very nice example

.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 20th February 2013, 04:27 PM

Its here but did suffer in the shipping. The figure had broken at the feet

Not the end of the world, stuck with PVA. Sadly visible but even museums have a mend it department. The figure with the double hornbill head and the human head all refer to headhunting activities. Unlikely to be a war axe but you could still persuade somebody to give up the will to live. However when viewed with reference to the two links. You can see why I paid high shipping cost, import duties and a customs charge. I must be mad

http://holmes.anthropology.museum/asmat/axefull.html

better link

http://www.clarku.edu/~jborgatt/sale...ows260-277.pdf

25th April 2012, 10:28 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Asmat axe. I have seen this axe appear and reappear on ebay. It had always cought me eye but I have always been very suspisious of traders around Indonesian ruled Papua. However looking through "The shadows of New Guinea, arts of the great island of Oceania, the collections of the Barbier-Mueller" {I have the French version} a wonderful example is illustrated. I could see that the axe that interested me did indeed follow a tradition and clearly not antique has none the less some age. So I bought it!!!! Okay it is not lovely like the books example but you have to start somewhere. Also I am into stone I love carving it, I can see the work. Attached Images

6th February 2013, 09:05 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Okay going back some. The axe I bought, the slightly out of focus picture is a rubbish tourist thing. The blade even having part of it formed by glued up sand and grit. However I am now the owner of an axe every bit as good if not better than the example in the Barbier-Mueller. I will show more of it when I have it. Attached Images

20th February 2013, 04:27 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Its here but did suffer in the shipping. The figure had broken at the feet Not the end of the world, stuck with PVA. Sadly visible but even museums have a mend it department. The figure with the double hornbill head and the human head all refer to headhunting activities. Unlikely to be a war axe but you could still persuade somebody to give up the will to live. However when viewed with reference to the two links. You can see why I paid high shipping cost, import duties and a customs charge. I must be mad http://holmes.anthropology.museum/asmat/axefull.html better link http://www.clarku.edu/~jborgatt/sale...ows260-277.pdf Attached Images

7th February 2013, 03:58 AM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Congrats A very nice example . Lew