What an interesting set, thanks for sharing. One doesn't encounter Chinese axes that often!
I largely agree with Timo on the use of double weapons. Many martial artists doubled as actual fighters and performance artists. They gave martial arts performances in town centers to recruit more members, while they could rent themselves out as local bodyguards or even to train militia if need arose. As such most of them were well versed in both actual fighting as well as showmanship.
I want to add though that twin weapons were in fact issued to some Chinese troops in the Qing, mainly in two categories:
1. The Green Standard Army, comprised of all Han soldiers. Basically the old Ming army. They were mostly deployed as local guards and peacekeepers in towns and cities across the empire and rarely had a front-line function. Among the twin weapons carried by them were axes, maces, and double sabers. So although they were part of the Qing military, their local role was pretty similar to that of some martial artists.
2. Southern troops that fought in the confines of ships or dense urban environments. These were issued double
hudiedao from around the 1860's onwards. Some 19th century battle paintings show ships full of soldiers heading out to find the British, where the troops are comprised of troops with double weapons, shield / knife combinations, spearmen, musketeers, and archers.
What you have here seems to be a set of 錄營雙鉞
Lüying shuangyue or "Green Standard Army Double Battle Axes" described in the
Huangchao Liqi Tushi. Axes in this work are 1
chi 6
cun long, roughly around 50 cm.
Huangchao Liqi Tushi The is a work of Qing imperial regulations on ceremonial regalia, including weapons for wars and parades. The original manuscript was finished in 1759 and subsequent editions were printed (with some alterations) in 1766, 1801, and 1899. I add the relevant page.
There was one Manchu division with axes; the Vanguard of the Eight Banners, but these were single, long handled ones. The parade versions were often elaborately gilt. The back ends of these axes were squared, not like the curving down end of yours.
It's interesting to note that your axes have the same overall shape as this magnificent parade axe that was sold on Sotheby's a while ago:
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...-of-art-l10211