Description:

Ancient Northern Europe, Viking or Anglo-Saxon, ca. 7th to 9th century CE. A forged-iron axe head with a vertical, slightly curved blade extending off a lateral arm. The central socketing shaft features a pair of protruding flanges on the top and bottom peripheries that enabled a more secure fit when bound to its handle with hide wrappings. The drooping, 'bearded' design of the blade was meant to increase the surface area of each strike as well as for pulling large objects. The blade was also used when boarding enemy ships by effectively acting as a grappling hook. Lucite display stand for photography purposes only. Size: 5.7" L x 4.625" H (14.5 cm x 11.7 cm)

Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#158928

  • Condition: Loss to one flange atop socketing shaft as shown. Small chips to blade head and socketing shaft flanges, with light encrustations, and pitting on some areas of head and neck. Great patina throughout.

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January 9, 2022 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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