Islamic Axe for I D and Comment

Jim McDougall · 17th June 2011, 08:23 PM

Gentlemen, thank you for reiterating these points as mentioned previously in various points of the discussion, and reinforcing the classification of this axe as East African, with possible association to the slave trade commerce.

While the medallion clearly is likely to have been as noted, received in any number of circumstances in these trade routes, it seems likely to be applied as a symbol of wealth or status much as previously noted. The copper wire and brass studs are also adornments used to embellish accordingly and though the wire wrap is well known on the hilts of Arab, Persian and Indian sabres in degree it is unclear if its use through many instances tribally can be connected.

Can anyone think of other instances of decorative chain on these types of axes in Africa? As I mentioned, this is an affectation well known on many sa'if from the Hadhramaut regions and Yemen, which compellingly suggests that it would have been known with trade headed to Zanzibar. From there, again as previously noted, the Omani trade routes into the interior may haved carried the feature into tribal contact in these interactions.

While trade routes moved westerly into Tanzania and Ujiji, the Red Sea trade carried influences reciprocally from Arabia into Ethiopian regions as well. It is interesting to note that many Abyssinian shotel had Maria Theresa thalers hammered into their pommels. Perhaps the use of this medallion was used in the same sense as indication of wealth or power on this axe, and whether a coin or medallion would have been irrelevant, only its appearance.

I would say again here, the repeated reference to Zanzibar here is simply to establish context for the slave trade caravans, which seem likely pertinant to the appearance of certain elements of decoration on this otherwise distinctly African axe form. As far as I can determine there is no suggestion that the axe is Omani, nor from Zanzibar.

17th June 2011, 08:23 PM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Gentlemen, thank you for reiterating these points as mentioned previously in various points of the discussion, and reinforcing the classification of this axe as East African, with possible association to the slave trade commerce. While the medallion clearly is likely to have been as noted, received in any number of circumstances in these trade routes, it seems likely to be applied as a symbol of wealth or status much as previously noted. The copper wire and brass studs are also adornments used to embellish accordingly and though the wire wrap is well known on the hilts of Arab, Persian and Indian sabres in degree it is unclear if its use through many instances tribally can be connected. Can anyone think of other instances of decorative chain on these types of axes in Africa? As I mentioned, this is an affectation well known on many sa'if from the Hadhramaut regions and Yemen, which compellingly suggests that it would have been known with trade headed to Zanzibar. From there, again as previously noted, the Omani trade routes into the interior may haved carried the feature into tribal contact in these interactions. While trade routes moved westerly into Tanzania and Ujiji, the Red Sea trade carried influences reciprocally from Arabia into Ethiopian regions as well. It is interesting to note that many Abyssinian shotel had Maria Theresa thalers hammered into their pommels. Perhaps the use of this medallion was used in the same sense as indication of wealth or power on this axe, and whether a coin or medallion would have been irrelevant, only its appearance. I would say again here, the repeated reference to Zanzibar here is simply to establish context for the slave trade caravans, which seem likely pertinant to the appearance of certain elements of decoration on this otherwise distinctly African axe form. As far as I can determine there is no suggestion that the axe is Omani, nor from Zanzibar.