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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,083
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This is an interesting item that I don't know exactly where it originated or its purpose. I think it is tribal given the decorations. The ferrule has a familiar shape to me. It is made of lead. The wood is dense and hard and the iron spade or chisel is probably European or American trade iron. Looking forward to thoughts on this unusual item.
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
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The iron blade looks like its from a West African axe, removed and fitted with a different wooden handle to make a tool, perhaps a gouge in woodworking, or similar ?
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,083
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Colin,
Thanks for the thoughts. I can see how the spade like tip reminds one of West African axes. I think one key difference which isn't really illustrated here is that the iron shaft is thick and four sided. I don't recall that feature on African axes. I think it was made as a tool and traded and mounted up to the local taste. Does the decoration on the handle look West African? I think the decoration on the blade can be found just about anywhere in the world. |
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
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![]() Quote:
To try to address your points :- a) Most African axe shafts are roundish in section, but I have seen some rectangular, I think. b) The incised decoration to the iron shaft on your piece is typically African. c) The decoration to the wooden handle is unusual, I havn't seen that fan-shaped design before on African work. d) The lead inlay to the wood is sometimes used on West African work. Here are a couple of images from old forum threads. Not conclusive I suppose, but thats my best guess. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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A different possibility has occurred to me ... could it be connected with betel preparation, and the plant-like decoration to the handle meant to represent the areca palm ??
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#6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,083
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I think both African and Indonesian are possibilities based on some of the reasons you have stated. I also think it could be Native American with the plants representing tobacco leaves and perhaps below that some form of headdress. Man, if these things could talk.
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#7 |
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Paris (France)
Posts: 408
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I've found the solution on Eb**
This object comes from the island of Flores. Here are two links to similar objects (the sale is over for several weeks). SCARCE CEREMONIAL MACHETE STAFF FROM FLORES ISLAND SCARCE CEREMONIAL MACHETE STAFF FROM FLORES ISLAND |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 462
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I am not suggesting that this is one but has the same shape of a Magic broom from the collection of the Tropen Museum in the NL
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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No details in the museum records? Regards, Kai |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 462
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Hello Kai,
all I could find was this picture it is object number H-2966 and it is described a a Winti priests magic broom. there are pictures from another angle Apparently there are lots ob objects identified as magic brooms used by winti priests . This shape struck me as very similar to the object above. |
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#11 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Hello Séverin,
Quote:
I completely missed this thread back then: Did you keep pics from those auctions? It would be great to have them uploaded here for posterity! Regards, Kai |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 462
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no I found another similar broom object in this Dutch book
https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/lege004ba...01_01_0010.php these objects weren't offered on any sale they are museum pieces. the OP here may have more on that particular object but it has been a long time from the publication here for the first time. |
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#13 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Sorry, we crossed posts!
I was referring to the earlier post #7 by Séverin... Regards, Kai |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,732
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The ferrule reminds me to enggano sword ferrules.
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#15 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
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Hello Detlef,
Quote:
It seems just as common on Flores and Séverin apparently found 2 close matches also attributed to Flores. I'd be really interested to see pics of those finds! Unfortunately, I did not saw this thread back then... Regards, Kai |
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