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Old African Wooden Songye Tribal Ceremonial Axe w Copper Axehead and Custom Base

$ 52.8

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Tribe: Songye
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Material: Wood
  • Color: Brown

    Description

    16 inches. Comes with a custom gallery base.A ceremonial axe, from the Songye people. The handle with male figural finial of stylized form, with featureless, mask like face, ringed neck, hands cupping the protruding umbilicus, short legs with bent knees. The axe head of blackened copper.Such Songye axes were not meant to be fighting weapons, but rather a symbol of chiefly prestige and influence. This is shown in their mastery with metal-working and intricacy.Provenance: Estate of Thomas McNemar, (1931-2020.) McNemar lived and collected throughout Central and West Africa in the 1960s and 70s. He established galleries of African Art in New York and San Francisco, selling to museums and public and private collections in the United States and Europe.
    Does not include the Luba Bell!!!! That is a separate listing. Thanks.
    Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.