Kanak Prestige Axe, New Caledonia

Joseph Guyon (1870-1942) Collection, acquired in situ while he was Governor General of New Caledonia from 1925 to 1932

Thence by descent

Sotheby's, Paris, Art d'Afrique et d'Océanie incluant Collections Gouverneur Guyon, Adolf Hoffmeister, Christina et Rolf Miehler et à divers, June 11, 2008, lot 69

Daniel Hourdé Collection, Paris, acquired from the above sale

This monstrance axe, referred to as o kono (“green skull cracker”), forms part of a well-known type of ceremonial equipment used by the Kanak people. It has a classic shape, with a disc-shaped blade carved from marbled olive-green serpentine, tapering towards its cutting edge. It features two holes to fit the handle, secured with a finely woven rattan ligature, the wooden barrel resting on an upside-down half coconut; the overall structure is covered with fabric held in place by a ligature that forms a chevron pattern.

Ceremonial axes, known as monstrance axes due to their resemblance to the object used as part of Catholic worship, are among the most iconic masterpieces of Kanak art. They could only be used by a select group of chiefs and, consequently, were a true symbol of power. “Even though written sources sometimes refer to it as the weapon of the chief, the large round axe was not actually used in warfare. It was a ceremonial instrument, a symbol of the chiefs’ rank, and was kept in their treasury. Displayed during major celebrations and dances, it was a highly prized gift.”[1] Maurice Leenhardt further details the function of this axe and its role in rituals intended to bring rain: “It is the skull cracker that rainmakers use to ritually strike the sun. It is the parade skull cracker that chiefs bear when they make their speeches during pilous. It serves as a staff symbolizing authority. On the lower end of the handle, a coconut shell is attached, which contains a few pebbles. The speaker shakes them like a rattle when he wants to attract attention. This axe is the pride of the clan that owns it and is borne as a symbol of the clan's power and ingenuity.”[2]

This monstrance axe was acquired in situ by Joseph Guyon, who was Governor of New Caledonia from 1925 to 1932, having previously served as Governor-General of Madagascar in 1919 and 1920 and Lieutenant-Governor of Gabon from 1914 to 1918. During his various postings, this French colonial administrator amassed a collection of very fine objects, part of which his heirs entrusted to Replica Shoes ’s to put up for auction on 11 June 2008 (lots 68–74) as well as a Punu mask on 16 December 2022 (lot 116).

This o kono axe from the Daniel Hourdé Collection is exceptionally finely crafted. It is in remarkable condition and boasts exceptional scale and well-balanced proportions. It also has an immaculate historical record.

[1] Pierre Lambert, Mœurs et superstitions des Néo-Calédoniens, 1900, repub. 1976, p. 171 cited by Fritz Sarasin, Ethnographie des Kanak de Nouvelle-Calédonie et des Îles Loyauté (1911-1912), 1929, repub. 2009, p. 122.

[2] Maurice Leenhardt, Notes d’ethnologie néo-calédonienne, 1930 repub. 1980, p. 28