Gun Collectors Dream Auction #86 Collector Auction
Lot 524:
Description
This is a ceremonial or prestige axe originating from Central Africa, likely from the Congo River basin region. The item features a large, curved animal horn head mounted to a hand-carved wooden shaft. The junction where the head meets the shaft is encased in a thick sleeve of animal hide. This binding is functional and decorative, secured with rows of domed brass-tone metal tacks arranged in a chevron pattern. The hardwood shaft is circular in cross-section and tapers toward the distal end. Much of the original dark surface finish on the wood has worn away, revealing the lighter, fibrous grain beneath. The horn head exhibits a dry, matte surface texture characteristic of natural desiccation. No maker marks, symbols, or inscriptions are visible on the surface of the wood, horn, or hide. No provenance history is provided for this item.
Condition report:
The axe is in fair to good condition, consistent with a legitimate ethnographic artifact from the late 19th to early 20th century. The wooden shaft shows significant surface wear, abrasions, and small cracks throughout. The animal horn is heavily weathered with a dry surface texture and one blunt terminal that suggests an old break or natural wear. The hide binding is brittle and shows lifting at the edges. The metal tacks have developed a dark, oxidized patina typical of older ethnographic metalwork. The materials are fragile due to age-related desiccation.
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