A Very Scarce 19th Century Shona Scorpion Tail Blade Axe
Origin: Shona People (Lower Zambezi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique)
Time Period: 19th Century - Early 20th Cenury
Provenance: UK Market
Materials: Wood, Iron, Brass Wire


A scarce, 19th century Shona prestige and ceremonial axe with a scorpion tail blade. These axes were common in lower Zembezi areas among Tonga, Shona and Tsonga people. Only a few of this type survived, most are in private collections and few museums.

Axe Traditional Use
This is a ceremonial axe, also passed down the family lineage like the bakatwa. These type of traditional weapons display signs of status (amasumpa – raised bump pattern) at the same time bearing ancestral iconography.SHAFT, BLADE & WIREWORK

Heavily pitted blade
Frail and loose wire-work
Cracked / chipped wooded parts

STYLE
Shona – Scorpion Tail Blade

Good Condition: Item may be worn due to age; signs of rust, heavily pitted blade, chipped wood, frail and broken wire-work or improper cleaning may be seen.
Potential buyers should note that though we take great care in executing these reports, however, they are matters of opinion only, are non-exhaustive, and Hills Collectibles cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The responsibility for ascertaining the condition of the Lot remains with the Buyer.