Bidspirit auction | African ceremonial axe, with carved

African ceremonial axe, with carved head on bone handle, 19th century. Congo? - African ceremonial axe, 19th century, probably Congo region The handle, about 30 cm long, is made of a shin bone, probably of a local cattle, carved at the end in the shape of a tribal African head, and topped with a “crown” of inlaid cowrie shells. The body of the handle is sewn with a thin leather strip in decorative stitching. Deep patina indicates the age of the item. The fan-shaped iron blade, hand-worked, about 15 cm long and with a maximum width of about 7 cm, is connected directly to the bone tip by a through-tang. A rare ceremonial item, which served as a symbol of status and leadership in the tribe, and reflects both craftsmanship and a symbolic weapon.