Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1890 — KING THEODORE’S GOLDEN AX. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KING THEODORE’S GOLDEN AX.

The Carlo an Weapon Captured from the , Ashantees—A Wonderful Cross. Among the numberless exhibits of the Royal Military Exhibition, Chelsea, England, the trophies, treasures and relics in the historic loan collec-

tion, all of which have been specially selected on account of their connection with some deed of British valor, form a most attractive feature. From the palace of King Theodore of the Ashantees. at Coomassie, are shown remarkable pieces of gold work. One of these, the beautiful “Gold Ax” given up by the Ashantees, was probably intended more for ornament than use. The wooden handle is carved and thickly oveilaid with gold pressed into the carving, and has, moreover, bosses and a top covered with leopard skin. A leopard skin covers the blade and has a curious gold ornament attached to it, the use of which is not obvious. A sword that belonged to tho King of Ashpntee will be found in the same case with the ax; the carved wooden handle is overlaid with gold in a similiar manner and the blade perforated. The extremely fine silver cross that was taken at the storming of Magdala, A£»ril 13, 1868, is a remarkably per-

feet and typical example of the early decorative ecclesiastical work of Abyssina. It is repousse in circles and ovals, which are themselves decorated with emblematic designs iu chased work. The top and sides are further decorated with crosses soldered on, tie edge is pierced somewhat irregularly, and round the center are six “jewels,” with one in the center, sot in square mounts. The oval band at the lower part of the cross, decorated with embossed circles, is invariably seen in crosses of this kind, which are, however, usually made of baser metal. This cross is the property of the Royal Artillery mess, but the greater portion of the treasure taken at Mag-

dala has found its way to the British Museum, in whose behalf an “Archaeologist to the Force” was appointed. The Abyssinians have long been noted as skillful workers and designers in metal, and a large proportion of their productions in decorative art are of a relitrious nature. On many of the early ecclesiastical crosses made in Abyssinia there is the figure of the Crucifixion, and very frequently angels are introduced.

THE GOLD AX OF THE ASHANTEES.

THE ABYSSINIAN CROSS.

THE KING OF ASHANTEE’S SWORD.