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Details

LOT 1358

Viking Age Iron T-Shaped Axehead

10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.

6 3/4 in. (588 grams, 17 cm).

Narrow T-shaped blade with curved edge, large D-shaped socket with lateral triangular flanges and rectangular extension to the rear.

Provenance

From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Literature

Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CX, items 41,43, for the type; see also Hjardar, K. & Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, p.163, for the typology of eastern axes.

Footnotes

Slavic battle-axes also came into use in Scandinavia, especially in the Eastern part of Gotland, Denmark and Sweden. One of the types was a T-shaped axe with a broad blade. There were narrow-bladed types too, described as being very light. Another characteristic of some of the Eastern axes was an extra long hammer or more rarely a secondary blade protruding from the back of axehead.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 1358

Viking Age Iron T-Shaped Axehead

Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)

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