11th-12th century AD. A Baltic hand-forged iron axehead with scooped socket, broad blade with extension to the lower edge, hole to the blade. Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, table V, item 20; see also similar specimen in BM inv. no.1852,0329.473. 565 grams, 17cm (6 3/4"). Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher; formerly in a Devon, UK, collection since the 1990s. The more common weapons of Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found from all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Among Baltic-Finnic people, especially in Finland and Karelia, knives called 'puukko' were common, as well as axes, spears, flat bows and longbows, while swords were usually imported from Germanic areas, Sweden or from elsewhere Scandinavia, some having often typically Scandinavian animal ornaments. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade, often perforated through the centre. They are characterised by two projections spurs from the top and the bottom of the back of the shaft-hole. [No Reserve]

Fine condition, cleaned and conserved.