Featured Mystery African Hatchet?

Any clues on the origin of this? About 19 inches long, blade appears to be copper or bronze?

 

I'm thinking that it is from the south. But when I look at the shells and the figure, i'm thinking maybe India or a Thailand Bark stripper.

 

Just realized that that is from Easter island. It is known as a Toki. Tokis are a small hatchet that are used for skinning. These were first made in the 1340s

 

u sure that's not a Kuba axe , like this old one in the centre...?

 

@2manybooks
@the blacksmith
@Roaring20s

 

?

 

oh please show pictures to back up that claim......... please ...please....

 

That middle one looks like a pretty good match form wise. The Songye, Luba, Pende and I’m sure many others also used somewhat similar tools. Your find is pretty spot on though. I’ve had a couple African axes/hatchets. Really neat things.

 

This is not an Easter Island toki.
Toki is the Maori word for the Polynesian adze, known all over the Pacific. They weren't first made in the 1340s (why that date?) but have been around for thousands of years. If they hadn't, the Polynesians wouldn't have been able to build the vessels that took them on their travels to their destination on the many Pacific islands that became their home. There are also ceremonial tokis, for status.
Also, without the toki there would have been no Polynesian culture as we know it.

And as komo said, please back up your claims.
Guessing is accepted because it can help us along, as long as you say it is just a guess. Of course educated guesses are better, substantiated claims better still, solid proof is best.
You made an unfunded claim, and even included a date to 'support' your claim.

 

Well, it has a ' blade ' ....so.... that's my jam !...

 

This particular type of "prestige axe" - with a human head or full figure at the top, and the vertical blade issuing from the mouth - is associated with the Luba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC - formerly Zaire). But the form was widely copied by other groups in the region. Such axes would be used as signifiers of rank and position, and were displayed by being worn over the shoulder (the blade hanging toward the back and the handle on the chest).

The blade was usually made of locally forged iron, rather than bronze or copper, iron being considered the more significant metal.

While the figure on Ranger Rick's axe copies a typical posture of similar Luba axes, the carving is rather indifferent, particularly the face. It is the type of object that would be attractive to tourists and less discriminating collectors, and therefore something likely to be reproduced for sale.

 

Luba , Kuba , what's the difference !!
..
..
..
..
Just kidding..... I know the difference..........

One starts with a K..... one with an L .........

 

Is does get confusing, but they are different peoples.

 

Thanks, just picked it up because I liked the look of it!