Modern-Carved (?) NOT antique I would guess, unknown native hard wood wooden handle in New Zealand Maori carving style, with inset Paua shell eyes

Looks nice enough, and BETTER made than than I could ever have done

But IMAGINE how much NICER it would look? With a carved handle from a piece of Sperm Whale bone. If carved by a skilled carver it would look like the BEE'S KNEES !!

Displays FINE as-is

The ANTIQUE British-Made Hatchet head or Tomahawk blade bears a KANGAROO image along with Robt. Sorby's trade name, on BOTH sides and DEEPLY impressed when the Iron/Steel was HOT out of his forge....So I imagine that the blade was intended as a TRADE AXE in Australasia

GOOGLE kindly advised this about the Sheffield UK maker's family history.....

Robert Sorby (1787-1857) of Robert Sorby and Sons

1811 Married at Sheffield to Sarah Mycock

1823 Birth of son Thomas Austin Sorby

1829 Partnership dissolved. '... the Partnership formerly existing between us the undersigned, William Lockwood, Robert Sorby, and John Lockwood, as Manufacturers of Files, in Sheffield, 'in the County of York, was dissolved on the 31st day of December 1826, by mutual consent...

1841 Living at Sheffield with his wife and a Merchant.

1851 Visitor at Darley Dale: Robert Sorby (age 63 born Sheffield), Merchant and Magistrate. With his wife Sarah Sorby (age 64 born Sheffield).

NO reserve

NO "Buy It Now"