Old Ax Mounted on Board - Help Needed to Identify

O

oldfishman

Joined
Jun 4, 2013
Messages
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I found the coolest piece of art but it is a bit of a mystery to me. I'm trying to figure why this particular blade was saved and mounted on a board. Whoever did it also used some metal to create a small picture of a tree stump and an ax in the area near the blade. I'm at a total loss as to whether this is an unusual piece of folk art or pieces like this are fairly common.

I tried my best to figure out the kind of blade and the age. To me, it looks like it is a Rockaway since the lug (I hope that's the right word for it) is rounded. No clue as to the state-related style. Also there is some writing at the top which I thought might help with the age but I can't read it.

During my research, I came across this website and decided to see if some of the knowledgeable collectors here could help me figure out what this ax is and why it was important enough to mount on a board. I really appreciate ANY help. Here is a photo of the whole thing and also one with the words since they are so hard to read on first photo.



 
Thank you so much, Axes4Life! I hate to think how many hours I looked for answers and you had it answered so quickly!! I really appreciate your help.

I'm off now to see if I can find out when the ax was probably made. It looks old. Still wondering why someone would put it on a board--it's very, very heavy. Maybe there was a story -- I found it at a flea market so I guess I'll never find out.
 
Oops, looks like I put the wrong name. Sorry--I'm a newbie. Thank you Operator1975 is what I really meant to say.
 
Are you talking about the gold picture that was made on it? It looks like the person who did this created a picture of a stump with a little ax.

Hmm--Now you have me wondering whether they really used gold (of all things) for their artwork?

Is it:
1) art for art's sake?
2) a collectible ax blade?
3) or an ax blade that has some sort of story behind it (in which case--we may never know what that story was)?
 
I'd say its art for arts sake or it has/had some sort of sentimental value.
The head itself is really not that uncommon.
 
My guess, and I am FAR from knowledgeable about axes, is that it is a Kentucky Pattern. Very similar to a Jersey, but the gold piece very much resembles the shape of the State of Kentucky.
 
gruntmedik said:
My guess, and I am FAR from knowledgeable about axes, is that it is a Kentucky Pattern. Very similar to a Jersey, but the gold piece very much resembles the shape of the State of Kentucky.
Click to expand...

Well I'll be damned, your right! It does look like Kentucky :cool:

Nice observation :)
 
Thank you all for the comments, info and ideas!

Well--you know what??? It does look like Kentucky, now that you mention it! And the shape of this old axe head also could be Kentucky (using the shape charts) as well. Maybe this was done by someone who took the different styles of ax heads and put the state shape on them--maybe as a display or a gift.

You guys are great! I know now that this is not a rare head being preserved but is definitely a piece of art or a display piece -- something to do with Kentucky (probably). Next step will be finding out whether that metal is gold. It is magnetic but I'm thinking that with all that metal behind that little pile of "gold", it may just appear to be magnetic. Going to run it up to a jeweler -- he'll probably laugh at me but hey, that's okay!

If anyone has any more ideas, I'll be checking back. Plus, I'll let you all know whether Kentucky is made of gold or green cheese as soon as I find out.
 
Took it to the jeweler and he did an acid test and found that our "gold" is actually brass. Oh well! It's still a cool art piece. Thank you all for your help and ideas.
 
Just wanted to say one final thanks to everyone who responded--you guys really know your stuff! I'm embarrassed to realize that I didn't even spell axe right when I started my research and you were all kind enough not to point that out!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
 
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