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Details

LOT 1462

Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead

9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.

5 1/2 in. (331 grams, 14 cm).

With gently curving blade, long neck with a spur, round socket with vertical flanges. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From a North American collection formed in the 1970s-1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Published

Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 12th March-9th June 2025; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.

Literature

Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.14(1).

CONDITION

VETTING:

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 1462

Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead

Sold for (Inc. bp): £338

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