Adze head
Advisory note: This record includes words and images that are considered racially offensive. It is included here as an historical reproduction from a different time period with different standards, and does not indicate any support or approval of such attitudes by Exeter City Council, RAMM or its associated institutions or individuals.
Basalt adzes like this were used by indigenous Carib islanders before the Europeans arrived in the Caribbean. The label suggests that this one survived and was adopted for another use by a descendent of an enslaved African. The language used by the Victorian collector is no longer accepted.
The label reads “Originally a Haitian Indian’s hatchet: later a Talisman of a Negro sorcerer in Haiti. R Stuart. August 1878. 94.2.3.” Collected by Major R. Stuart.
Donated by Charles M. Kennedy in February 1894.
Basalt adzes like this were used by indigenous Carib islanders before the Europeans arrived in the Caribbean. The label suggests that this one survived and was adopted for another use by a descendent of an enslaved African. The language used by the Victorian collector is no longer accepted.
The label reads “Originally a Haitian Indian’s hatchet: later a Talisman of a Negro sorcerer in Haiti. R Stuart. August 1878. 94.2.3.” Collected by Major R. Stuart.
Donated by Charles M. Kennedy in February 1894.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 2/1894/3
- Collection Class
- Tools for farm and craft
- Common Name
- adze head
- Simple Name
- adze head
- Production Country
- Haiti
- Production Year High
- 1894
