AF458: Songe Prestige Axe

A very large and old Songe prestige axe. The heavy and intricately forged blade has 54 faces and multiple loops. The shaft is entirely covered in old copper, and the overall patina is good and dark from age and use. An axe of this large size is rare, and would have been used by a chief or person of great importance.     

Previously in the Jean-Pierre Hallet collection. Hallet field collected in Central Africa from 1948 to 1960, and was responsible for the first large art donation to start the UCLA, California African art collection. He is also author of the book "Kitabu", and the creator of the Pigmy Foundation.

17" long x 14 ½" wide x 11 ½" blade. 19th century, D.R. Congo, Africa.