Axe Item Number: Ac245 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Thick brown wood shaft with blackened ends. One end is large and angled while the other end has a rounded knob which is elbow-like with carved recessed circles clustered on either sides. Attached by tang through the knob's middle is a wide metal blade which begins abruptly from tang, flares out to points, and has a convex edge. Flattened surfaces face the left and the right. Row of three incised diamonds decorate each blade side and tang has two incised rings around the circumference. Row of spaced recessed circles decorate circumference of butt end.
History Of Use
Axes have a wide range of uses, including cutting meat, bones, trees, branches and bushes. They were mostly used for cutting down trees and branches, and to clear bushes to prepare land for farming. In largely forested areas, sometimes "slash and burn" is the preferred method for clearing lands for agriculture.
Cultural Context
utilitarian
Narrative
The collector, Nellie Taylor, served as a nursing missionary (1900-1920), first with the Ovimbundu at Bihe, then with the Chokwe at luma Kasai. She belonged to a group who sponsored several missions across Central Africa from 1881-1931.
Item History
- Made in Luma Kasai, Angola before 1920
- Collected between 1900 and 1920
- Owned by Nellie Taylor
- Owned by Gladys G. Cameron before January 12, 1979
- Received from Gladys G. Cameron (Donor) on January 12, 1979
What
Who
- Culture
- Chokwe
- Previous Owner
- Nellie Taylor and Gladys G. Cameron
- Received from
- Gladys G. Cameron (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Luma Kasai, Angola
When
- Creation Date
- before 1920
- Collection Date
- between 1900 and 1920
- Ownership Date
- before January 12, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on January 12, 1979
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 100
- Accession Number
- 0509/0018