Rare Steel Hafted Axe from Arnhem Land

Rare steel hafted axe, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, steel, bent wood, spinifex resin and natural pigments (with custom stand) this hafted metal head axe is painted with natural pigments. The head held in place with resin and the wooden handle is bent around the head and secured at the head with an interlaced band with vegetable fibre. Length 13.98 in. x 5.12 in. Provenance: Collected by Reverend Harold Shepherdson, Millingimbie Mission 1920-1924. Jeff Fischer, Adelaide. Private collection, South Australia