Ceremonial Axe Head

Harold Tovish, Ceremonial Axe Head, 1977, bronze on wood base, 7 1⁄8 x 13 1⁄2 x 1 1⁄2 in. (18.1 x 34.4 x 3.9 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.80

Artwork Details

Title
Ceremonial Axe Head
Artist
Date
1977
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
7 1⁄8 x 13 1⁄2 x 1 1⁄2 in. (18.1 x 34.4 x 3.9 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on wood base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
  • Figure — fragment — skull
  • Object — tool — axe
Object Number
1986.6.80
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.6.80

Artwork Description

Ceremonial Axe Head shows Harold Tovish’s concern with the relationship between humans and machines. For this piece, Tovish treated the bronze surface with a chemical coating to give it a weathered green color that resembles ritualistic jade pieces from Stone Age China. Although the tool appears “primitive” by modern standards, the shape of the axe warns us that even simple technology has the potential to destroy human lives.

Works by this artist (24 items)

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George Overbury "Pop" Hart, Natives Resting (Trinidad), pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1981.60.1
Natives Resting (Trinidad)
Artist
pen and ink on paper
Not on view
George Overbury "Pop" Hart, Village Scene, n.d., oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Emil J. Arnold, 1967.56.27
Village Scene
Artist
Daten.d.
oil on canvas
Not on view
George Overbury "Pop" Hart, Vigo Bridge, pencil and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1981.60.2
Vigo Bridge
Artist
pencil and ink on paper
Not on view
George Overbury "Pop" Hart, The Plains of Etla, 1927, pencil and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1981.60.3
The Plains of Etla
Artist
Date1927
pencil and ink on paper
Not on view

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Artist
Unidentified (Italian)
Copy after Domenico Ghirlandaio
Date15th century
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Bonifazio di Pitati, Christ Addressing the People, n.d., oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mabel Johnson Langhorne, 1956.11.12
Christ Addressing the People
Artist
Daten.d.
oil on canvas
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Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo, Portrait of a Man, n.d., oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mabel Johnson Langhorne, 1956.11.55
Portrait of a Man
Artist
Daten.d.
oil on wood
Not on view
Unidentified (Spanish), Saint Anne with Virgin and Child, ca. 1400-1425, oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.6.151
Saint Anne with Virgin and Child
Artist
Unidentified (Spanish)
Dateca. 1400-1425
oil on wood
Not on view