We have seen many different spellings for the Chokwe, including Tshokwe and Jokwe. Phonetics!
A ceremonial axe, usually brandished during ceremonies and ritual dances. It has a metal blade, and the handle is very eroded, but has decorative engravings and facial masks carved on either side of it.
Axes were a sign of status, and in many cases their blades rendered the axes as non-functional by virtue of their weakness. Prestige axes were a sign of status, authority and power.
Ex. Jean-Pierre Hallet, a Belgian who worked extensively in the D.R.Congo. In 1964 he wrote the autobiographical book, Congo Kitabu.
Height: 16 ½" x Width: 1 ¾" x Depth: 9 ¼".
It stands 17" in height on its custom 7" x 4" base.
