Bronze Age Central European Axehead

Flat in section and tapering to each end, coiled to secure a braid of hair. 1.01 grams, 12 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

Bronze sword or rapier with gently tapering cutting edges, thick midrib with lateral beading for most of the blade's length; flared plate to the hilt with two holes at the end to accept attachment rivets; substantially complete; mounted on a custom-made stand. 918 grams total, 57 cm high including stand



Reputedly found in the River Blackwater, Bradwell, Essex. with Christie's, South Kensington, 13 May 2003, lot 259. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11881-207821.

In the terminology of Bronze Age studies, a weapon of this type less than 30 cm in length is called a 'dirk' and beyond that length it is classified as a 'rapier'. The longer examples are sometimes considered to have been impractical for use as weapons due to the limitations of the casting process making the blade brittle; however, the evidence for repairs and modifications indicates that they were frequently retained in active use for some time.

Of amorphous form with inclusions to both surfaces; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 2 kg total, 34.5 cm high including stand



Found Cotham, Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK.

These ingots were cast in shallow scoops carved into boulders or stones at places where the ore was mined and smelted; they were then traded across the Bronze Age world as raw material.