Carved and painted wooden axle with metal fittings, from a cart. The axle has one long main beam, with two curves cut out of the top surface, surmounted by a decorated metal bar, attached with metal screws. At each end of the beam are metal fixtures, also screwed on. Across the main beam are two cross-pieces. The whole axle is given additional support by four metal rods which pass vertically through each end of the cross-pieces. The main beam is painted yellow on one side, with red and green borders and blue and red circles or eyes. The long edges are carved into notches. On the other side, the beam is carved into a relief of a man riding a white horse, flanked by the heads and shoulders of two people with pink and blue wings. There are two further faces carved into the depth of the beam in the cut-out curves above them. The whole beam is bridged by a painted metal bar, which is surmounted by curved lengths of metal with flat circular patches, painted green, red, yellow, and blue. There is similarly decorated metalwork descending from the underside of the metal beam on one side. At each end of the main beam, one side is painted yellow and green and red; on the other side is a carved blue flower and a semi-circular face, both in relief. At each end of the beam is another right-angled metal bar, with a similar decoration at the lower end. Below this is a metal stirrup or hoop around the underside of the wooden beam, and this is screwed to a flat metal plate, also painted. The two cross-pieces are likewise attached to a painted metal stirrup which runs under the main beam. Both cross-pieces are painted and carved, especially on the outward-facing side, with people's faces at the uppermost corners, with pink and blue wings, and horses heads below them.
cart (land transport: animal powered); axle decoration
Continue exploring anthropology
shawl; blanket (covering); blanket (bed coverings)
stage of manufacture (hunting, fishing & trapping); arrowhead (arrows (weapons: missiles & projectors))
plaque (art)
paddle (water transport: accessories)
Collection Information
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