Viking Age Iron Bearded Axe-Hammer

With curved flaring cutting edge, characteristic curving shape and narrow socket, blade end squaring off, shaft hole pierced on both sides. 227 grams, 10.6 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

These collared axes have the specific feature of being equipped with variously shaped rear extensions. The provenance of this typology is clearer than others: these axes came from Margiana and southern Bactria. Gonur Depe and Susa yielded a rather atypical and probably imported example. P. Amiet suggests that they were an adoption of Elamite material, from conceptual and institutional models. They would have developed from the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 2nd millennium B.C.

Comprising: lower guard, lentoid in plan and slightly curved in profile with recessed underside, slot to accept the tang; upper guard, lentoid in plan with scooped long edges; pommel with large median lobe and lateral shoulders, Petersen's Type S. 520 grams total, 77-91 mm



London, UK, collection, formed in the late 1990s.

Group of three tanged spearheads, each with a slender leaf-shaped two-edged blade and midrib, tiered ribbing to the neck, square-section tang with chisel tip; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.65 kg total, blades: 34.5-38.6 cm



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13245-252972.

Spearheads of this kind were realised by mould casting. They were of different lengths and used by Luristan, Hamadan, early Median and Achaemenid warriors.