African Sapo Songye Ceremonial Axe (19th century)A beautiful African Songye people's tribal ceremonial axe. The axe head of copper construction, set within a carved wooden shaft with hammered copper plating decoration all over. Axes were employed as symbols of royal power throughout present day southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola. Elaborate versions of this functional tool were created as royal scepters that were potent symbols of civilization and cultural achievement. They