Prestige axe
Artist Unidentified
early 20th century
Object PlaceDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Medium/TechniqueMetal, wood
DimensionsOverall: 46 x 30 x 6 cm (18 1/8 x 11 13/16 x 2 3/8 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2666
On View
On viewClassificationsArms and armor
Collections
This axe, decorated with sheet copper and copper strips, is adorned with the open-worked, copper-overlay design of a handa on its iron blade. The handa was an ancient form of currency in the copper-rich Congo, often also called the Katanga cross. This type of axe was never used as a weapon, and was entirely ornamental, representing status and wealth.
mid-20th century
mid-20th century