Carved Ebony Wood Decorative Axe and Spear Set

This set consists of two hand-carved decorative weapons, specifically an axe and a spear, likely of East African origin—commonly associated with the Makonde or Maasai souvenir trades. Both items are crafted from a dense, dark hardwood, possibly ebony or a similar heavy wood treated with a dark stain. The axe features a curved handle and a head decorated with incised cross-hatching and a small sunburst or star motif at the corner. The spear has a symmetrical, leaf-shaped blade with serrated edges and similar geometric incised patterns at the base. A defining feature of both pieces is the tightly woven grass or reed grip at the base of the handles, which incorporates black dyed fibers to create traditional checkerboard and geometric patterns. In terms of condition, they appear well-preserved with a matte patina; however, slight scuffing is visible on the dark wood surfaces, particularly on the spear head. There is some minor fraying and loosening of the woven natural fibers near the base of the spear. The craftsmanship is indicative of late 20th-century artisanal production intended for the decorative or tourist market, rather than functional use.