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LOT 1270
Bronze Age 'The Manston Hoard' Palstave Axehead
MIDDLE BRONZE AGE, 1400-1150 B.C.
7 1/8 in. (480 grams, 18 cm).
Complete and one of the best examples in the hoard; triangular flanges rise from the butt to the stop bar; below the septum a hollow to both faces; narrow body expanding to a wide triangular blade with slight flare at the tips; a rare opportunity to acquire a British Bronze Age axe from a recorded treasure hoard. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound near Manston, Kent, UK, 2016.
Accompanied by copies of the British Museum's portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-495597 and disclaimed as Treasure with reference no.2016 T618.
See Portable Antiquities Scheme, reference PAS KENT-495597 (this find).
LiteratureSee Evans, J., The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1881, pp.76-84, and figs.56-68, for similar types.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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'The Braintree' Bronze Age Axehead and Foundry 'Carp's Tongue/Ewart Phase' Hoard
Deposited circa 900-800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Being an entire 'founder' hoard deposit comprising: complete socketted axes (6; three with linear ornament to sockets); fragments of socketted and earlier type palstave axes (18, including two that fit together); fragments of other items (4) and pieces of copper 'bun' ingot (8). 5.20 kg total, 2-11 cm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Braintree, Essex, UK, on 14th August 2019. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.BM-C514EA and with a copy of the Harwich Museum loan form. Disclaimed under the Treasure Act with reference number 2019 T731.
The composition of this hoard is quite typical of similar deposits found across south-eastern England and dating to the Late Bronze Age; most such finds include broken fragments together with pieces of ingot and some complete items, as seen here. It is unusual to see an entire deposit offered together as most such are either held in museums or have been divided up. -
Bronze Age Central European Axehead
Circa 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With an elliptical socket and wedge-shaped cheeks. 894 grams, 17.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Bronze Age 'Axel Guttman' European Bronze Rapier with Spirals
16th-14th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
With swollen tapering blade, finely incised with concentric rings and spirals at the top of the blade and extended parallel lines; pierced hilt for the fastening of an organic hilt; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 520 grams total, 43.5 cm high including stand
Ex Axel Guttmann collection, AG 1033. The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, Part 2, 28 April 2004, lot 17. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11829-207734.
From the middle of the 2nd millennium B.C., the bronze sword became the most efficient and feared weapon, as well as the symbol of an aristocratic warrior.
