An iron bearded axehead with broad flaring triangular-section blade and chin to the lower edge, round socket with lateral flanges and rounded hammer extension to the rear. 7 1/2 in. (725 grams, 19 cm). Very fine condition, professionally cleaned, conserved and restored. [No Reserve]

PROVENANCE:
Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972.

LITERATURE:
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.14(1); Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIV, item 4.

FOOTNOTES:
This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the E2 category of the Viking axe classification, but also has affinity with the Slavic type of axes Y. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such a 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter.