Naga Axe

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Bill,
the use of hair/fur on many ethnic weapons (handle end) is to aid grip especially in the presence of blood, which is remarkedly slippery when fresh
Am I correct in saying that it has only one sharp edge (opposite to the rounded protuberance ) Nice thing

Kind Regards David

You are correct about the sharp edge.

The seller, a private collector is certain this is 19th century.

It could be. Since many of these ethnographic weapons are made in the same way for many, many years, I have trouble absolutely stating age unless it has been in a private collection for a length of time. I have found that even objects pictured in old books do not provide absolute authentication it is THAT original object in the book.

In many cases, I have seen objects made FROM a picture in an old book, then the counterfeiter claims it is the same item, alluding to the picture and claiming that picture was taken of the item many years ago.

This is particularly common in African masks, statues and fetishes. Obviously this is much more common in high end, expensive artifacts than in most ethnographic weapons that usually command comparatively lower prices.

I have several of these in different configurations including two that are all metal, handle and head. Below is a picture showing one like the one in this tread. The picture was taken in 1873-1875.

In the lower left quadrant you can see a Naga ax remarkably similar to mine.

[RhysMichael]

I can't help but wonder if certain shaped dao were more common with certain tribal groups. I can't find anything to support that. I have a few pictures of dao and those carrying them but none are exactly like the one you have posted though several have protrusions from the back
The first one the only notation I have is dao from Arunachal Pradesh The second is a photo of an Ang and is labeled as Naga and Konyak

[Bill M]

Thank you for your replies and I ceratinly welcome more discussion.

I have quite a few Naga artifacts, including one large house pillar with seven stylized buffalo heads, three human heads and an animal.

I suggest a very good book on the Naga, "THE NAGAS, hill peoples of Northeast India" by Julian Jacobs.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...881/ref=lp_g_1