2-edged chopping knife [.1] with leaf-shaped blade ending in two small points, wooden handle carved with ridges and pointy cone end. With wooden sheath [.2] bound with iron bands and with hide strap. [El.B 06/11/2007]

Collection type: Object
Description: 2-edged chopping knife [.1] with leaf-shaped blade ending in two small points, wooden handle carved with ridges and pointy cone end. With wooden sheath [.2] bound with iron bands and with hide strap. [El.B 06/11/2007]
Geographical reference: Gabon
Africa > Central Africa > Gabon; Batta
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 Iron Metal, Material Wood Plant, Material Animal Hide Skin, Process Carved, Process Forged (Metal), Process Bound, Process Stitched
Dimensions: Length: max 415 mm, Length: max 315 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1884.24.23.1 Accession number: 1884.24.23.2 PR Cat other PR nos: 1095
Research and responses: In 'Primitive Warfare' [lecture given to Royal United Services Institute] 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, Knife, Sheath