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Details
LOT 1041
Viking Rus Period Bearded Type Axehead
CIRCA 11TH CENTURY A.D.
7 1/2 in. (746 grams, 19 cm).
An iron axehead with sturdy neck and slightly curved triangular blade; socket with lateral flanges and long rectangular extension to the rear. [No Reserve]
Provenance
Acquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
Literature
Cf. Kirpichnikov, A.N., Drevnerusskoe Oruzie (Ancient Russian Weapons), II, Moscow-Leningrad, 1966, in Arkheologia SSSR, vol. E1-36, especially axe no.2, from (pl.XVIII) from Zauzhelie; Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate V, item 23.
Footnotes
The axe seems to be a variation of type III of the Kirpichnikov classification of the Eastern Rus Axes typology - battle axes with downwards blade, two pairs of side wings and an elongated cut-out butt. Paulsen called the related type "Varangian group" of North Baltic axes.
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