Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


96 - African Congo Tschokwe Tribe Axe, Late 19th Century

The well patinated wooden haft is slightly arched with a head that turns back away from and parallel to the blade to carry the tang, the end of which is at the back tip, upset (peened) to lock the blade in place. Circular depressions decorate the head of the haft and a pair are also present at the far end of the haft just before it concentrically widens. This end of the haft features a hole at the end that likely once carried material such as hair or other decoration. The axe blade exits the haft with a round cross-section upon which are three pair of inscribed rings. The blade then flattens and shows engraved decoration on either face. A forging flaw is noted on one blade face and resharpening of the edge is suggested by imperfections in the curved cutting edge; a grain related defect is also seen on the underside of the head of the haft - the defects, all in all minor and not distracting, also comfort in marking this as an old handmade implement that has seen use. Lew assigned this to the Tschokwe culture, circa 1890. The haft is 15 inches in length, with the turn back adding 3½ inches. The blade extends 6 inches from the haft at a mildly acute angle. Overall weight is 10 ounces.




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