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14th February 2019, 09:38 PM #1
16 century axe head(possibly for killing)
16 Century French or German axe,
A Facebook group that I follow
Tools as art art as tools.
This axe was recently put up, and I noticed as anyone would of course that it looks to be cast with a pregnant creature.
Or the local jobbo from the Inn.
I was wondering do we have anybody who is familiar with symbolism on such things.
Was it just done out of pure boredom while waiting for winter to past.
Or was there more too it.
Cheers Matt.
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15th February 2019, 09:59 AM #2
I would suggest looking at medieval church carvings for similar images. They are some really strange things to be found. A common theme was the Green Man. Most times shown as a mans face with leaves for hair and beard. Hinting at pre christian fertility rites, mid summer celebrations and stuff. As for the axe it was likely for showing off if it is genuinely that old and not a modern knock off for showing off. Battle weapons tended to be workman like and practical for getting the job done.
Regards
John
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15th February 2019, 10:46 AM #3GOLD MEMBER
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Would make a lousy fighting axe. With all those indentations you would be flat out trying to get it out of the victim's noggen. Now you're up a creek without a paddle. Or, in this case, in a battle without an axe.
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15th February 2019, 03:11 PM #4China
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My opinion to it looks Mayan, Aztec. pre Columbian, cermonial axe if it is 16th century this would not be the case, could well a copy or later interpretation
what is it made from bronze, iron, steel
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16th February 2019, 07:24 AM #5
Matt
I don't know anything about such things. However it looks too "neat" for something that is 500 years old. Is there any sign of the eye ever having had a handle. I would lean towards a modern copy as John hinted at.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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16th February 2019, 12:43 PM #6
Some more suggestions have a appeared on Facebook.
The one I think that could have the most merit is it was a ceremonial axe used by French boat builders to cut the moorings of new boats during launch.
Tho as a few of you have pointed out it’s in remarkable good condition for its age.
Cheers Matt.
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16th February 2019, 01:10 PM #7
The ceremonial thing would fit the bill. All the old trade guilds like to hark back to ancient lore so tend to use the same symbolism as the masons left all around on buildings.
Regards
John
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16th February 2019, 10:31 PM #8GOLD MEMBER
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In terms of imagery, it looks like Saint George and the Dragon to me.
Beknighted hero stares fixedly at a cowering beast, with damsel sheltering behind him.
Basically it was a very old metaphor for the triumph of the good over the evil and godless, so was the sort of thing any self styled hero would want on their battle axe.
Not sure of course, just suggesting as a possible place to start.Apologies for unnoticed autocomplete errors.
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17th February 2019, 08:21 AM #9Senior Member
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I can also see a Kings crowned head with curled moustache.
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17th February 2019, 09:24 AM #10
Nah you have all got it wrong. Its a whats-a-name for a thingamy-bob. Plain and simple
Just do it!
Kind regards Rod
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