Cleveland Museum of Art

Head Axe

Date

before 1922

Medium

Blade: metal; handle: wood

Culture

Philippines, Northern Luzon, typical of Bontoc Province

Department

Oceania

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This iron blade belongs to a Bontoc head axe, a northern Luzon weapon known for its heavy, compact form. The broad, triangular cutting surface, long, tapering rear spike, and short lower tang built to slot into a wooden shaft are all characteristic of northern Luzon. The shaft includes a protruding “thorn” or finger stop that provided a secure grip. Though designed for severing a head, this hatchet also served utilitarian purposes, such as climbing.

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