Large Bronze Age Looped and Socketted Axehead

Rectangular worked stone block with one irregular edge; the thicker, dressed edge with a group of five drilled holes, possibly cup-marks, in a V-shaped formation. 65.7 kg, 65.5 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Cup-marks, with or without surrounding rings, are among the most enigmatic signs which can be found widely across ancient European landscapes, most often in association with running water. Circular arrangements are one notable and recurrent feature, while straight lines and parallel rows are less frequently represented. The present stone most closely resembles the kind of feature found at e.g. Østergård, Risehøj, Østermarie on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea (Milstreu & Dodd, 2018, fig.15).

With a sharply curving single-edged blade, grooved stem with a rectangular projection above for attachment to a wooden handle. 77 grams, 17 cm



Ex private collection, Walton on Thames, UK, 1970s. From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue information page.

Including cruciform and other brooch fragments, pots and other items. 473 grams total, 14-51 mm



Found UK. Property of a Scottish collector, acquired in 2013.