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LOT 1367
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. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
PublishedExhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 19th June-9th September 2024; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefact on display.
LiteratureCf. 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.
FootnotesSlavic 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Bronze Weapon Group
13th-7th century B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £52
Including a ribbed triangular dagger blade, dagger with trumpet-shaped grip, and other items. 634 grams total, 13-27.5 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Western Asiatic Integral Hilted Bronze Short Sword
Late 3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
With a broad, lentoid-section flat blade, rounded tip, sloping sides, well marked shoulders with wide but short tang. 713 grams, 43.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The sword finds similarity with the one from the Royal Cemetery of Ur. This is the most primitive form of dagger, consisting of a simple, pointed blade having slightly convex outline shoulders sloping to a short tang which has no rivets, and was probably hafted to wood with bitumen. Examples of the type come from Kish, Ur, dated to the 'Jemdet Nasr Period,' while the Ur date from the Early Dynastic to Sargonic Periods. -
Viking Age Ugro-Finnian Battle Axehead
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A hand-forged iron axehead with square chin to the blade, flanges raised to the socket, rear round hammer-head. 200 grams, 15.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade.
