Double Sided Axe - Spear

Shona - Karanga Related

This circa 1900 ceremonial spear includes a double sided axe, the spear blade centrally positioned between the two blades. This design concept was likely Portuguese inspired, after Vasco da Gama's arrival in the late 15th century. 

The fabulous ceremonial object has four sections of detailed wirework. Central to the fine decoration is the area between the three blades. The use of darker wood in Shona - Karanga objects usually indicates Mozambique costal origin.

*

Zulu Battle Axe / Circa 1920's 

isizenze or imbemba

A fine and rarely seen example of an early collected Zulu battle axe.

The blade resembles those found amongst the Swazi, but the longer top portion confines this to nearby Zululand proper.

Drawings found in; The Zulu Battle Axe - Tim Maggs - Natal Museum

Battle axes depicted in Southern African Rock Paintings

Battle Axes in Museum Collections

Another

Zulu - Tsonga Battle Axe - 19th Century

Note the similarity to axe (1) above, it collected at Eshowe between 1884 and 1885.

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

.

 

This finely wired battle axe was rediscovered in Australia. 

Most likely it sailed there during the time of  "tall ships".

 

 

The Victorian blade was manufactured by Sheffield as a chopper.

 

 

Another

 

 

Tsonga Battle Axe - Circa 1900

 

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images

.

 

This example has an African wrought blade placed into a half moon hilt with 18 brass tacks or studs placed on one side for decoration.

 

*

  

 

      

Zulu Assegai

Circa 1940's or Before

This example likely dates to 1900. It was purchased from the grandchildren of Anna Dekenah, who farmed near Tzaneen.

It has an old hand hammered iron blade.

Fine wirework decorates the tang.

The flared grip sports and old leather binding.

*

Chokwe Scepter

Collected between 1885 and 1925 by Marion Webster

Marion Webster - Central Angola - 1900

This example was collected between 80 and 120 years ago.

Purchased from Mary A. Webster, a relation of Henry Ardell Webster, born September 21, 1858. Henry Webster married Marion Murchie in 1887. Both traveled to Africa under the employ of the American Board of Foreign Missions. Henry died of malaria at Benguela during his first year in Africa.

Marion remained a missionary in Angola for over 40 years, living at Bailundo.

Webster Hall was built in the nearby town of Dondi.

Mary A. Webster, presently 93 years old, (2008) recalls that she was a grade school aged girl when her aunt Marion came home on furlough. She stated that aunt Marion held talks and showed off African items to church members and other community groups during her stay.

Notice the central "eye" of the knobs design. It is the sign of a "lekembe" or thumb piano. This is a Chokwe "and related peoples" way of placing a dash of music onto unrelated items.

Marion's letters from the mission are mentioned at this Harvard University Site

http://oasis.harvard.edu:10080/oasis/deliver/~hou01805

*
 

Ovambo Double Dagger
 

Circa 1900

Expertly Restored and Mounted - Early Collected

Personal knives of Ovambo men are called “omukonda”. They were  made in various lengths and usually from the wood of the monkey guava tree called Omuandi or Omwandi.

 These objects are unique and comparatively restricted to use in a small area. One can find examples of origin from Etosha in the south, Humbe and the Ovamouilla to the west, the Ovaloplolo or Ovamoilla to the north west, the Uukuanyama to the north, the Ovakuangari to the east and downstream to the Mambukushu. P. MÖLLER / 1899, JOURNEY IN AFRICA THROUGH ANGOLA, OVAMPOLAND AND DAMARALAND pgs 47, 48

MÖLLER writes: It should be added that the natives always go round armed to the teeth, even in their villages and among the huts. They barter their weapons from native traders from the tribes in Ovampoland, where there is iron that is worked by the natives. P. MÖLLER / 1899, JOURNEY IN AFRICA THROUGH ANGOLA, OVAMPOLAND AND DAMARALAND pgs 90, 91
 

*