Prestige Axe
Songye / Nsapo, D.R. Congo
Iron, copper, wood
Early 20th century

This hatchet, decorated with sheet copper and copper strips, is adorned with the open-worked, copper insert designed like 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.

Older versions of this blade type wore wooden handles, unadorned with copper coverings, the most famous of which is the Frobenius axe, which sold at Sotheby's for a mere €384,750.00, despite its €4-7,000 estimate. Don't worry, this piece is priced below the Frobenius piece, which can be seen here (Zirngibl, Rare African Short Weapons, 1983).

Mounted on a custom display stand (not pictured).

15 in :: 38 cm

InventoryID #13-928

SOLD