Ceremonial axes served the function of a status symbol: a symbol of political and religious power. They differ from ordinary axes in that they had different blade types, and usually with blunt edges. Some axes were produced with two blades. The handles were carefully crafted and usually incorporated a female head or figure, and decorated with various shades which were either signatures or artistic patterns.
Details
- Designer: Gabriel Ellison
- Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd
- Process: Lithography (Delacryl process)
- Paper:
- Watermark: None
- Perf: 14 (comb)
- Cylinders: Printed in four panes, separated by vertical and horizontal gutters, and guillotined through vertical gutter for distribution.
- 1B (Yellow) 2B (Black) 1B (Blue) 2B (Reddish Mauve) : 1A (Yellow), 2A (Black), 1A (Blue), 2A (Reddish Mauve) [upper left : lower left]
- 1C (Yellow) 2C (Black) 1C (Blue) 2C (Reddish Mauve): 1D (Yellow) 2D (Black) 1D (Blue) 2D (Reddish Mauve) [upper right : lower right]
- Sheet: R5 x 5 (25 stamps)
- Quantity:
Cylinder Numbers
Sheet Numbers
References
-
Fire-Eaters – Blacksmiths and the Products of the Forge in Pre-Colonial Zambia – Mwelwa C. Musambachime
- Zambia’s Postage Stamps: The Post-Federation Stamp Issues of Northern Rhodesia (1963-1971) – A. R. Drysdall, J. Case
