Axe Item Number: K4.8 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Axe with copper-covered wooden handle with a rounded top and flared butt end, and a steel crescent-shaped blade with three supporting arms. The middle arm of the blade has four faces in low relief. The handle has indented decoration of small dots and two large circles.
History Of Use
Large, elaborately decorated axes are a status symbol for high-ranking men in several communities in central Africa, including the Kuba, Luba, and Songye. Their status is derived from the value placed on ironworking. It was a culturally important practice because of the plentiful iron ore deposits available in the region.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Iconographic Meaning
The faces decorating the central arm of the axe blade may have been meant to represent the peoples subjugated or conquered by the wielder. The use of copper on the handle is also a sign of wealth, as copper was rarely accessible until the modern era.
Item History
- Made in Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Owned by British Museum before August 1960
- Received from British Museum (Exchanger) during August 1960
What
- Name
- Axe
- Identification Number
- K4.8
- Type of Item
- axe
- Material
- steel metal, copper metal and wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- forged and chiseled
- Overall
- height 46.5 cm, width 25.3 cm, depth 4.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Songye
- Previous Owner
- British Museum
- Received from
- British Museum (Exchanger)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
When
- Ownership Date
- before August 1960
- Acquisition Date
- during August 1960
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0022/0024