Ca. AD 900 - 1100.
An iron bearded axe head with an elongated, heavy blade and a socket. Contrary to popular belief, the most commonly used weapon in antiquity was not the sword but the battle-axe. In fact, this weapon had enormous advantages over the more emblazoned sword.
Firstly, the axe was easier to make, much more resistant during clashes and did not risk to breaking on the first impact. Moreover, the blows that were given with this weapon were extremely powerful, and this was due to the weight of the axe itself in comparison with the sword. Last but not least, the axe could also be used to chop and split wood, which was an extremely important and everyday activity in the ancient world.
Size: 150mm x 145mm; Weight: 730g
provenance: Property of an Oxfordshire art professional; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK / International art markets.