A small iron axehead with vertical panels to the socket, domed striking face to the rear, short T-shaped blade with narrow shank and curved edge; silver and gold filigree ornament including interlaced three-band serpent motifs to the two lateral socket panels, Ringerike style coiled serpents to the blade extending along the neck. [No Reserve]

PROVENANCE:
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
Accompanied by an archaeological expertise by military specialist Dr. Raffaele D’Amato.
Accompanied by a positive metal test number 183091/HM1452 from an Oxford specialist.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.11130-183091.

LITERATURE:
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.14 (1) and (10), for type.