2 African Axes any ideas as to region

katana · 22nd July 2008, 12:03 AM

Hi,

gained these two Axes from the Rydzewski Collection of Tribal Art. Rydzewski whom did ..."significant work in the advancement of Irrigation systems for developing countries ....." ( mostly in Africa )

These 2 axes came from his travels.

I believe he was mainly in West Africa and to me seems likely the axes were sourced there. One of the axe's haft is bowed 'into' the head ... has the wood 'warped' ...or is this type 'uncommon' or for a certain 'task' ? They are 49 cms and 56cms OAL

Comments and advice freely accepted

Regards David

colin henshaw · 22nd July 2008, 08:54 AM

These type of utilitarian axes were used throughout Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Maybe from Zambia or Zimbabwe.

Regards

Jim McDougall · 24th July 2008, 04:00 PM

Wheres Tim Simmons and Freddy on this ?

katana · 28th July 2008, 04:17 PM

They have arrived, some age and use evident. The larger weighs just over 2.5 kgs, the smaller 1.5 kgs. Blades are hand forged and heavy. Wood needed waxing as it was quite dry, nice used patina on the handles.

Although utilitarian these would easily 'double up' as very effective weapons, both are nicely balanced and easy to handle.

Thank you Colin for your reply, I thought as much, but was intriqued by the shaft 'bowing' in towards the head. Now I have handled it, I can see how it would improve cutting performance whilst cutting trees etc. (please accept my apologies for not replying sooner

)

Regards David

22nd July 2008, 12:03 AM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	2 African Axes any ideas as to region Hi, gained these two Axes from the Rydzewski Collection of Tribal Art. Rydzewski whom did ..."significant work in the advancement of Irrigation systems for developing countries ....." ( mostly in Africa ) These 2 axes came from his travels. I believe he was mainly in West Africa and to me seems likely the axes were sourced there. One of the axe's haft is bowed 'into' the head ... has the wood 'warped' ...or is this type 'uncommon' or for a certain 'task' ? They are 49 cms and 56cms OAL Comments and advice freely accepted Regards David Attached Images

28th July 2008, 04:17 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	They have arrived, some age and use evident. The larger weighs just over 2.5 kgs, the smaller 1.5 kgs. Blades are hand forged and heavy. Wood needed waxing as it was quite dry, nice used patina on the handles. Although utilitarian these would easily 'double up' as very effective weapons, both are nicely balanced and easy to handle. Thank you Colin for your reply, I thought as much, but was intriqued by the shaft 'bowing' in towards the head. Now I have handled it, I can see how it would improve cutting performance whilst cutting trees etc. (please accept my apologies for not replying sooner ) Regards David Attached Images Last edited by katana; 28th July 2008 at 08:38 PM.

22nd July 2008, 08:54 AM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	These type of utilitarian axes were used throughout Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Maybe from Zambia or Zimbabwe. Regards

24th July 2008, 04:00 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,955	Wheres Tim Simmons and Freddy on this ?