- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Axe with expanded and convex blade. The haft is wooden and shaped. It has several letters deeply incised into it on one surface. [SM 09/07/2007]
- Long description
- Axe with expanded and convex blade. The haft is wooden and shaped. It has several letters deeply incised into it on one surface. The haft expands to a point just above the point that the blade is tanged into it and then reduces in size again. [SM 09/07/2007]
- Cultural groups
- Fang
- Person
- Maker Unknown Maker
- Field collector Unknown Collector
- PRM source Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers founding collection
- Date / Period
- Date made: Possibly before 1867
- Date collected
- ?By 1867 [judging by mention in 'Primitive Warfare]
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1884
- Materials and processes
- Material Wood Plant, Material Iron Metal, Process Carved, Process Forged (Metal), Process Incised
- Dimensions
- Length: max 430 mm, Width: max 157 mm
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1884.21.8 PR Cat other PR nos: 936
- Research and responses
In 'Primitive Warfare' [lecture given to Royal United Services Institution there is mention of a Fan war axe, used as Plate 1 fig 5 'Sword of native manufacture, minus the wooden handle, and War Axe both constructed by the Fans of the Gaboon country, West Africa. From Col. Lane Fox's collection. A nearly similar axe is the collection of the Royal United Services Institution. The patterns of ornamentation are taken, partly from the Fan War Axe and partly from some knives of iron brought from Central Africa by Mr. Petherick and now in Col. Lane Fox's collection'. [p31] [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]
Search terms: Weapon, Tool, Writing, Axe, Inscription