Two Axes; One Shona & one Australian Aboriginal ??

drac2k · 16th October 2020, 08:18 PM

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 · 17th October 2020, 03:39 PM

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 · 17th October 2020, 05:53 PM

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 · 17th October 2020, 06:11 PM

Quote:

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 · 17th October 2020, 06:49 PM

Thanks Again !!!

Tim Simmons · 18th October 2020, 03:21 PM

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

drac2k · 18th October 2020, 06:17 PM

Great pictures.I'll copy and keep with the item;that way someone will know what it is when I'm gone.

RAMBA · 18th October 2020, 09:59 PM

Stone axe not Australian Aboriginal.

16th October 2020, 08:18 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Two Axes; One Shona & one Australian Aboriginal ?? 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 Attached Images

18th October 2020, 03:21 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Two examples from {Indian & Eskimo Artifacts of North America, Charles Miles, Bonanaz, 1963} Plains hammers but you could easy hit somebodies head with them. Attached Images

17th October 2020, 03:39 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	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).

17th October 2020, 05:53 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	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?

17th October 2020, 06:49 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Thanks Again !!!

18th October 2020, 06:17 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Great pictures.I'll copy and keep with the item;that way someone will know what it is when I'm gone.

18th October 2020, 09:59 PM	#8
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 98	Stone axe not Australian Aboriginal.