Skip to main content
Ceremonial axe
Object Number 17-41-50/B1571
Display Title Ceremonial axe
Descriptions
Object Description Luba axe. Chief's small, ceremonial axe hafted with tapered and decoratively incised steel blade. The wood handle is elaborately carved and incised. The butt-end depicts a woman's head sculpted in-the-round. The handle is wrapped with strips of copper alloy sheet metal hammered to conform to shape and pinned with nails. A separate strip of the same metal covers the edge of the rounded top where the blade is attached. The wood has a soft brown patina and the metal covered handle is worn smooth from use.
Inventory Description Ax, triangular incised blade, inserted into wood handle, carved human head at ba
Classification
  • Axe
Department Ethnographic
Culture
  • Luba
  • Urna Numba Kudja
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Africa / Congo
Materials Wood , Iron , Copper
Dimensions Overall: 36 x 24 x 5 cm (14 3/16 x 9 7/16 x 1 15/16 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 17-41-50/B1571
Credit Line Gift of Mrs. George Howe, A. C. Coolidge, and Oric Bates, 1917
Provenance
Collector Henri Pareyn (1880's-1890's)
Dealer William O. Oldman (1917)
Donor Mrs. George P. Howe (July 1917)
Donor Prof. A. C. Coolidge (July 1917)
Donor Mr. Oric Bates (July 1917)

Important Note about Historical Language

Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share. Please email us with your comments.

PrimaryMedia Object Number Title Classification Geography/Provenience SHARE
War axe
994-15-10/74747 War axe
Axe
Florida
Chief's axe, badge of dignity
07-13-50/72328 Chief's axe, badge of dignity
Axe
Belgian Congo
Metal knife with carved wooden head image
17-41-50/B1565 Metal knife with carved wooden head image
Knife
Congo
Hafted stone axe, roughly fastened
18-20-70/D1162 Hafted stone axe, roughly fastened
Axe
New Britain
Staff of office
17-41-50/B1569 Staff of office
Staff
Congo
Axe
2011.19.40 Axe
Adze
Axe
Ethiopia
Axe
2011.19.39 Axe
Axe
Ethiopia
Stool with supporting female figure
17-41-50/B1568 Stool with supporting female figure
Stool
Congo
Hatchet - pronged metal blade hafted to long wooden shaft
40-2-60/6085 Hatchet - pronged metal blade hafted to long wooden shaft
Raw Material
Axe
Vietnam
Stone axe and handle, 29.75 in. h, butt end carved to resemble bird or reptile.
973-24-70/5357 Stone axe and handle, 29.75 in. h, butt end carved to resemble bird or reptile.
Axe
New Guinea
Axe with removable head, usable as adze
2011.19.41 Axe with removable head, usable as adze
Axe
Ethiopia
Small axe of tridacna shell head hafted into iron wood handle
48-51-70/2951 Small axe of tridacna shell head hafted into iron wood handle
Axe
Yap Islands