TWO AFRICAN AXES for comment

[Freddy]

I looked it up in the catalogue 'African metal implements, weapons, tools and regalia' (Collection of Frederick an Claire Mebel - 1984).

The author shows a similar axe. This is what he writes :

'This axe served only as a on ornamental weapon. It has an imported iron blade produced in Great Britain. tjhis half-moon shaped piece is welded to a straight tang that fits into an elegantly decorated shaft embellished wiht bands of plaited wire. Axes of this rare kind have been found among the Zulu and Xhosa of South Africa, peoples not particularly known for using axes. The major source for this kind of imported blades seems to have been Port Elisabeth.'

But I must say, it's the first time I see one with a bronze (or copper ?) blade.....but I'm still young

[Tim Simmons]

The bronze one is most striking, shame it has been cleaned with too much vigor. This is my favourite, big blade 5mm thick.