Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0300

Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays

NORTHERN EUROPE, 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.

6 1/4 in. (10 1/4 in.) (390 grams, 15.7 cm (813 grams total, 26.2 cm high including stand)).

With short, cylindrical socket to rear, narrow neck, flared blade with curved cutting edge; underside of the blade swept in a gentle curve; short flanges above and below the rear of the socket; decorated overall with finely engraved silver inlays forming two dragons and interlace patterns (probably not original); provided with a display stand.

Provenance

Acquired 1982 in Kaliningrad and transported to Riga in 1986, moved to East Berlin in 1988, and again to Germany in 2000, then UK in 2014.
Ex West London collection.

Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00141022.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12476-228759.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Literature

Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.V (20), for type; Hjardar, K. & Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, p.163Y, for typology; Salin, B., Die Altgermanische Thierornamentik, Stockholm, 1935, for discussion about the ornaments.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0300

Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays

Sold for (Inc. bp): £8,450

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Post Medieval Iron Dagger with Bronze Hilt
    Post Medieval Iron Dagger with Bronze Hilt
    17th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £247

    Comprising a triangular two-edged blade with median chamfer, ricasso at the rear, quillons formed as two vertical rings on short arms, wooden grip with most of the hatched mounting ring, rectangular pommel with raised panel to each face. 276 grams, 42.2 cm



    Previously acquired at a UK auction in the 1990s. Acquired from an Oxfordshire antiques centre. Property of a Berkshire, UK, collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Swords and daggers with a square pommel became fashionable in the early 16th century, a Central European fashion. The edges of the present weapon do not ever appear to have been sharpened, so this may have been a parade-piece.

    Lot Details

  • Medieval Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Group
    Medieval Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Group
    Circa 13th-14th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £130

    Each hand-forged with square-section spikes, designed so that however the item falls, one spike is always vertical. 240 grams total, 9.6-10.7 cm



    From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
    Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
    13th-6th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £187

    Including barbed-and tanged, leaf-shaped, slender triangular and other types. 286 grams total, 4.8-16 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list