Unknown Axe for Identification......Please

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 12:29 AM

A friend of mine asked for help in the identification of this Axe. He usually collects Japanese swords and this came with a grouping that he bought many years ago.
My guess is Chinese or some other South East Asian Country; has anyone else seen anything similar?

Battara · 5th February 2021, 02:33 AM

Looks like the head of a makara, a mythical water beast. Could be Tibetan, though the style makes me question this somewhat.

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 03:58 AM

"Mythica Hindu Makara in China," is the caption; I definitely think that you are spot on with the Makara identification!

kronckew · 5th February 2021, 11:00 AM

Interesting how the upper end of the haft was dug out to enhance the 'mouth' look. Any dimensions? Ceremonial Pole axe?

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 02:21 PM

Approx. 12" tall & 10" wide.I noticed that as well(unfortunately the ax is in another state). I was wondering if that might have been an extended barrel that was blown off; maybe this was a combination weapon. I have seen Chinese cannons with dragon motifs.

Kubur · 5th February 2021, 02:45 PM

Hi
Very important, I can't see from your pictures, which material is it, brass or iron?

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 04:02 PM

Great question; it is made of iron.

Ren Ren · 5th February 2021, 05:59 PM

I think it looked like these Vietnamese items.

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 06:48 PM

Great picture, it sure looks like a match, thanks! Would you guess the age to be the 19th century; older, newer?

kronckew · 5th February 2021, 07:18 PM

Good photo, Ren Ren! Looks like you nailed it. A pole axe as I suspected. Wonder what the white bit sticking out the mouths are tho. looks blunt, but I do not think it's a matchlock barrel

Found this photo of a 19c Viet dragon glave and elephant halberd: The halberd's spear-point looks distinctly weird and 'ceremonial' to me.

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 09:08 PM

Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?

Ren Ren · 5th February 2021, 10:33 PM

The photo shows the Nam Giao ceremony of sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. It was held on the esplanade of the Imperial Palace in Hue from the beginning of the 19th century until 1945 without changes. Therefore, I find it difficult to guess at what time period the subject belongs.

Ren Ren · 5th February 2021, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

Good photo, Ren Ren! Looks like you nailed it. A pole axe as I suspected. Wonder what the white bit sticking out the mouths are tho. looks blunt, but I do not think it's a matchlock barrel

Found this photo of a 19c Viet dragon glave and elephant halberd: The halberd's spear-point looks distinctly weird and 'ceremonial' to me.

I'm sure this is a ceremonial weapon. It was used very often in Vietnam and was not always made of metal

There was a large amount of wood, painted with varnishes of different colors.

Also I have doubts about the barrel of a firearm. Such a weapon had no sacred power for the Vietnamese and I am not aware of its use in ceremonies.

drac2k · 6th February 2021, 12:45 AM

Thanks again!

kronckew · 6th February 2021, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?

The ones I posted also may partially be samrit - cast to hold the iron/steel bits. Samrit is the South East Asian bronze alloy that can also contain precious metals, and may have a high tin content, so the color varies from golden yellow to very silvery if kept polished, and can age to a more bronzy brown-black. Not sure what they call it in Vietnam.

5th February 2021, 12:29 AM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	Unknown Axe for Identification......Please A friend of mine asked for help in the identification of this Axe. He usually collects Japanese swords and this came with a grouping that he bought many years ago. My guess is Chinese or some other South East Asian Country; has anyone else seen anything similar? Attached Images

5th February 2021, 03:58 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	"Mythica Hindu Makara in China," is the caption; I definitely think that you are spot on with the Makara identification! Attached Images

5th February 2021, 05:59 PM	#8
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 374	I think it looked like these Vietnamese items. Attached Images

5th February 2021, 07:18 PM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	Good photo, Ren Ren! Looks like you nailed it. A pole axe as I suspected. Wonder what the white bit sticking out the mouths are tho. looks blunt, but I do not think it's a matchlock barrel Found this photo of a 19c Viet dragon glave and elephant halberd: The halberd's spear-point looks distinctly weird and 'ceremonial' to me. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 5th February 2021 at 07:36 PM.

5th February 2021, 02:33 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Looks like the head of a makara, a mythical water beast. Could be Tibetan, though the style makes me question this somewhat.

5th February 2021, 11:00 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	Interesting how the upper end of the haft was dug out to enhance the 'mouth' look. Any dimensions? Ceremonial Pole axe?

5th February 2021, 02:21 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	Approx. 12" tall & 10" wide.I noticed that as well(unfortunately the ax is in another state). I was wondering if that might have been an extended barrel that was blown off; maybe this was a combination weapon. I have seen Chinese cannons with dragon motifs.

5th February 2021, 02:45 PM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Very important, I can't see from your pictures, which material is it, brass or iron?

5th February 2021, 04:02 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	Great question; it is made of iron.

5th February 2021, 06:48 PM	#9
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	Great picture, it sure looks like a match, thanks! Would you guess the age to be the 19th century; older, newer?

5th February 2021, 09:08 PM	#11
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?

5th February 2021, 10:33 PM	#12
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 374	The photo shows the Nam Giao ceremony of sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. It was held on the esplanade of the Imperial Palace in Hue from the beginning of the 19th century until 1945 without changes. Therefore, I find it difficult to guess at what time period the subject belongs.

6th February 2021, 12:45 AM	#14
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	Thanks again!