African Axe and Mask on Ebay

Lew · 27th July 2008, 06:29 AM

I saw a similar mask on the net stating it was Ashante?

Lew

Bill M · 31st July 2008, 01:58 PM

Brass, not bronze is the more common alloy from Benin. They like the more red look, so this would give credence to this being from Benin.

Saw a wonderful exhibit of about 200 Benin pieces. The biggest pieces I have ever seen.

Some were almost six feet tall!
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metr...s_0503_01.html

Lew · 14th August 2008, 05:19 PM

Well the pair finally arrived today. The axe is quite nice the bulb part at the top is missing 3-4 small brass tacks (should I replace them?) and the mask seems older with a nice deep patina to it. Don't really know if these pics are any better but I will post them?

Lew

Tim Simmons · 14th August 2008, 05:53 PM

The axe looks nice to me. The mask could be a real hip/belt mask from Nigeria, Benin city, does not mean it is very old. The modelling is good quallity and appears a good casting. I feel if the castings have nice thin walls they are less likely to be made as tourist items. This looks pretty good to me I would gamble the real thing possible from around the first quarter of the 20th cent.

Lew · 14th August 2008, 06:07 PM

Tim

the casting seems thinner than most and there are a few pin holes on the right side facing us slightly thicker towards the nose and mouth. Here are some closeups of the axe head.

Lew · 26th August 2008, 02:00 AM

Well I was able to find my old 2.1 meg camera so here is a shot of the axe with some antique tacks/knobs that a fellow formite sent me and they worked out pretty well

Two pics before and after.

Thanks

Lew

14th August 2008, 05:19 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Well the pair finally arrived today. The axe is quite nice the bulb part at the top is missing 3-4 small brass tacks (should I replace them?) and the mask seems older with a nice deep patina to it. Don't really know if these pics are any better but I will post them? Lew Attached Images

14th August 2008, 06:07 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim the casting seems thinner than most and there are a few pin holes on the right side facing us slightly thicker towards the nose and mouth. Here are some closeups of the axe head. Attached Images

26th August 2008, 02:00 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Well I was able to find my old 2.1 meg camera so here is a shot of the axe with some antique tacks/knobs that a fellow formite sent me and they worked out pretty well Two pics before and after. Thanks Lew Attached Images

27th July 2008, 06:29 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I saw a similar mask on the net stating it was Ashante? Lew

31st July 2008, 01:58 PM	#2
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Brass, not bronze is the more common alloy from Benin. They like the more red look, so this would give credence to this being from Benin. Saw a wonderful exhibit of about 200 Benin pieces. The biggest pieces I have ever seen. Some were almost six feet tall! http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metr...s_0503_01.html

14th August 2008, 05:53 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	The axe looks nice to me. The mask could be a real hip/belt mask from Nigeria, Benin city, does not mean it is very old. The modelling is good quallity and appears a good casting. I feel if the castings have nice thin walls they are less likely to be made as tourist items. This looks pretty good to me I would gamble the real thing possible from around the first quarter of the 20th cent.