Axe (1) - Black iron, Wood - Songye - DR Congo

"Songye chiefs carry axes with elaborately wrought openwork iron blades as symbols of their power and prestige. Other Congo area peoples, such as the Pende and Nsapo, also use such ceremonial axes, but those of the Songye are the most elaborate and best known. All types feature a crescentic blade joined to a wood haft by wrought iron struts, but those of the Songye are the most elaborately decorated and use the most struts. The present axe has five struts, and all of them bear rows of schematic human faces, wrought into both sides of the strut, whereas axes from other peoples may have only one or two such heads on one side of a strut. The heads perhaps represent those of subject peoples. Two of the struts of the present axe are decorated with wrought-iron knots. The number of struts and their decorations place the present axe among the most elaborate versions known. The item will be packaged with the greatest care in a double sided box and shipped with tracking information. The shipment of every object above 100 Euro will be insured. A certificate of authenticity can be provided on request with every purhcased item over 250 Euro. "