Strange unknown knife for id

Andrew · 16th November 2005, 02:51 AM

Gentlemen, I'm curious: how common is/was the use of aluminum in African weapons? Is it more common to see this material in certain regions or cultures?

I like this knife, Justin. Congrats.

Freddy · 16th November 2005, 07:58 AM

I think I already showed this one on the forum, but it's a small (ceremonial ?) axe from the Congo (Tshokwe).

The blade is made from aluminium with some engravings on it.

Iron was easily obtainable in these regions, but material like copper, aluminium, etc.... was foreign, thus expensive. Someone wanting to show his wealth did so by using these metals.

You also see it on some other African artwork, especially from the Congo. Copper nails were added to a statue to enhance its importance.

I'll show some better pics of the axe this evening.

Andrew · 16th November 2005, 02:17 PM

Thanks, Freddy.

Interesting that aluminum would be prized as a decorative metal. In post-WWII industrial cultures, it has become so common.

Is this, perhaps, a bit of "cargo cult"?

Justin · 16th November 2005, 02:40 PM

Thanks Andrew, As far as aluminum on African weapons goes, it doesnt seem to be too common but not unheard of . I also have a tebu dagger with aluminum mounts,Ill try to get pics of it up along with the unknown knife.

I didnt have much interest in African weapons when I first started collecting but as the number of African arms I have has risen they are becoming more and more interesting to me.There is an incredible amount of variation in design and workmanship,its a shame there arent more resources on these weapons.

Thats an AWESOME axe ! ,I have never seen an authentic piece with an aluminum blade before,but what you said about the aluminum being imported makes sense.

Mark · 16th November 2005, 03:01 PM

What do you think is the age of that aluminum axe? Before electolytic extraction methods were perfected (making it possible to extract aluminum from dirt, essentially), it was really considered a precious metal. I forget when that change happened -- maybe early 20th cen.? An interesting story is that the cap of the Washington monument is a little pyramid of aluminum about 18 inches high, which was a very major part of the expense of the total project, and had to be specially commissioned from the scientist was was then developing the electrolytic extraction process.

Perhaps this is either a product of that era, or the cultural value of aluminum was established by that era.

Freddy · 16th November 2005, 06:51 PM

Here is the promised photo. The decoration on this axe blade is crude. The maker even tried to sharpen the edge. Also the way it is fastened to the shaft is very crude. It looks like it was riveted to a piece of iron (?) which goes through the shaft.

I have no idea about the age of this piece. Probably it is something which was collected in Congo during the first half of the 20th century. I got it from a reputable African art dealer.

Tim Simmons · 16th November 2005, 07:01 PM

Aluminium history, world production did not really take off untill the 1920s. Look here, www.world-aluminium.org . Tim

16th November 2005, 02:51 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Gentlemen, I'm curious: how common is/was the use of aluminum in African weapons? Is it more common to see this material in certain regions or cultures? I like this knife, Justin. Congrats.

16th November 2005, 07:58 AM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I think I already showed this one on the forum, but it's a small (ceremonial ?) axe from the Congo (Tshokwe). The blade is made from aluminium with some engravings on it. Iron was easily obtainable in these regions, but material like copper, aluminium, etc.... was foreign, thus expensive. Someone wanting to show his wealth did so by using these metals. You also see it on some other African artwork, especially from the Congo. Copper nails were added to a statue to enhance its importance. I'll show some better pics of the axe this evening.

16th November 2005, 02:17 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Thanks, Freddy. Interesting that aluminum would be prized as a decorative metal. In post-WWII industrial cultures, it has become so common. Is this, perhaps, a bit of "cargo cult"?

16th November 2005, 02:40 PM	#4
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 178	Thanks Andrew, As far as aluminum on African weapons goes, it doesnt seem to be too common but not unheard of . I also have a tebu dagger with aluminum mounts,Ill try to get pics of it up along with the unknown knife. I didnt have much interest in African weapons when I first started collecting but as the number of African arms I have has risen they are becoming more and more interesting to me.There is an incredible amount of variation in design and workmanship,its a shame there arent more resources on these weapons. Thats an AWESOME axe ! ,I have never seen an authentic piece with an aluminum blade before,but what you said about the aluminum being imported makes sense.

16th November 2005, 03:01 PM	#5
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	What do you think is the age of that aluminum axe? Before electolytic extraction methods were perfected (making it possible to extract aluminum from dirt, essentially), it was really considered a precious metal. I forget when that change happened -- maybe early 20th cen.? An interesting story is that the cap of the Washington monument is a little pyramid of aluminum about 18 inches high, which was a very major part of the expense of the total project, and had to be specially commissioned from the scientist was was then developing the electrolytic extraction process. Perhaps this is either a product of that era, or the cultural value of aluminum was established by that era.

16th November 2005, 06:51 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here is the promised photo. The decoration on this axe blade is crude. The maker even tried to sharpen the edge. Also the way it is fastened to the shaft is very crude. It looks like it was riveted to a piece of iron (?) which goes through the shaft. I have no idea about the age of this piece. Probably it is something which was collected in Congo during the first half of the 20th century. I got it from a reputable African art dealer.

16th November 2005, 07:01 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Aluminium history, world production did not really take off untill the 1920s. Look here, www.world-aluminium.org . Tim