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Prestige Axe

Pende; Chokwe

Artwork Details

Prestige Axe
20th century
Pende; Chokwe
iron or steel blade with wood handle
14 9/16 in x 10 1/4 in (37 cm x 26 cm)
Gift of Susan B. and John F. Ullrich
1998/1.52

Description

Probably Gabon; axe with cylindrical shaft topped by a flattened angular and rounded "head" section; two abstract "horns" with "eyes" at top; forged iron or steel blade of complex form, incised along edges; incised and impressed patterns on "head" (nail head impressed patterning typical of Gabonese sculpture); finely engraved and stippled anthropormorphic patterns on handle (resembling Kata forms -Gabon); wood handle with medium-brown to black glossy patina; remnants of white pigment. [David Ackley]

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