Mid-19th C. Indian Steel Bullova Battle Axe w/ Handle

Central Asia, India, ca. second half of the 19th century CE. A forged-steel axe head of an elegant design known as a bullova with a wooden handle. The axe head has a mustache-style axe head with sharpened edges, a stocky neck, and a hammered socketing shaft. The peripheries of the blade and neck are adorned with intricately incised linear and crosshatch motifs. Bullova axes were the principal weapon of indigenous Indian Dravidian peoples long after being driven into southern India by Aryan invaders and have been used for hundreds of years as multi-purpose tools and weaponry. Size (axe head): 4.8" W x 9.4" H (12.2 cm x 23.9 cm); (handle): 30.875" L (78.4 cm).

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in December 2009; ex-private Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA collection

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#151942 Dimensions: Condition Report: Axe head is of the stated period, and wooden handle was likely added in later times. Minor abrasions to axe head, with softening to some incised motifs, and light encrustations within socketing shaft, otherwise intact and very good. Nice patina throughout.