Mount Hagen ceremonial axe.

Tim Simmons · 26th July 2007, 08:50 PM

I have been looking around on the net and discovered that the export of stone axes pre 1960 is prohibited. I wonder how this relates to the items I have obtained? Is it more a case of if it looks right then you cannot take it out of the country. I wonder when this rule was made 1970s? There must be somebody out there with more info. An axe might have been made November 1959 but collected January 1960?

fearn · 26th July 2007, 10:27 PM

Hi Tim,

A brief account that might shed light on the law. David Attenborough wrote a book called Journeys to the Past back in the 1981 about his expeditions to Papua New Guinea as a young film-maker. Some time in the '50's, he visited the Mt. Hagen axe makers, and filmed them for the BBC. When he visited, the community was switching from their traditional stone axes to steel axes for everyday use, and the stone axes were becoming lighter and more decorative. The stone axes had a traditional use as bride-price, so they kept making them, but they no longer had to be functional.

My guess on the age issue then, is one of functionality. If it's heavy, the edge has been retouched, and there are signs of use and/or wear, then it's probably pre-60's. Since they stored axes in the thatch of their huts, if it's heavily smoke stained, it may well be pre-60's. If it's light, clean, and not too sharp, it's more likely to be post '60's, and was made for show rather than work.

My 0.02 cents,

F

Tim Simmons · 26th July 2007, 10:42 PM

I think I have just sliped under the collectors ok wire

.

Tim Simmons · 29th July 2007, 08:49 PM

This stone is a bit well you decide, you can see file marks on it.
http://www.michaeldlong.net/Ko-Bespo...n/E1/52/105630

Tim Simmons · 9th March 2009, 09:10 PM

Post 1960 I would imagine.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=120384260443

26th July 2007, 08:50 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	1961? I have been looking around on the net and discovered that the export of stone axes pre 1960 is prohibited. I wonder how this relates to the items I have obtained? Is it more a case of if it looks right then you cannot take it out of the country. I wonder when this rule was made 1970s? There must be somebody out there with more info. An axe might have been made November 1959 but collected January 1960?

29th July 2007, 08:49 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Interesting comparison This stone is a bit well you decide, you can see file marks on it. http://www.michaeldlong.net/Ko-Bespo...n/E1/52/105630

26th July 2007, 10:27 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Tim, A brief account that might shed light on the law. David Attenborough wrote a book called Journeys to the Past back in the 1981 about his expeditions to Papua New Guinea as a young film-maker. Some time in the '50's, he visited the Mt. Hagen axe makers, and filmed them for the BBC. When he visited, the community was switching from their traditional stone axes to steel axes for everyday use, and the stone axes were becoming lighter and more decorative. The stone axes had a traditional use as bride-price, so they kept making them, but they no longer had to be functional. My guess on the age issue then, is one of functionality. If it's heavy, the edge has been retouched, and there are signs of use and/or wear, then it's probably pre-60's. Since they stored axes in the thatch of their huts, if it's heavily smoke stained, it may well be pre-60's. If it's light, clean, and not too sharp, it's more likely to be post '60's, and was made for show rather than work. My 0.02 cents, F

26th July 2007, 10:42 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	I think I have just sliped under the collectors ok wire .

9th March 2009, 09:10 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Post 1960 I would imagine. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=120384260443