Details

LOT 0274

Large Stone Age Corded Ware Boat-Shaped Axehead

6TH-5TH MILLENNIUM B.P.

9 1/2 in. (1.2 kg, 24.3 cm).

A large and finely formed boat-shaped axe with asymmetric convex cutting edge, with pronounced ridge to upper surface copying a bronze casting seam, rounded hammer-butt, pierced to receive handle with a projecting socket to underside. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12916-245219.

Literature

See Glob, P. V., Danske Oldsager II, Yngre Stenalder, Copenhagen, 1952, no.333, for general form and no.486, for an example with collared butt; cf. also MacGregor, A. (ed.), Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the Collection of Lord McAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, item 4.190, p.76, for a near identical type.

Footnotes

This battle axe is of 'boat axe type', lentoid in outline with slightly expanded butt. These axes, usually of black fine-grained rock, are mostly of Swedish or Norwegian origin. The asymmetrical lentoid cross-section is flattened towards the cutting edge.