Bronze Age Bronze votive socketed Axe
17
days
09
hours
38
minutes
09
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 330 - € 400
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Bronze Age votive socketed axe made of bronze, dating to 1000–800 BC, in very good condition with a smooth olive‑green patina, length about 76.6 mm and maximum diameter about 20.5 mm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Bronze Age, votive socketed axe with a hollow central socket, 3 upstanding ribs at the shaft and a fantastic smooth and shiny olive green patina.
-> Socketed axes marked an important development in Bronze Age technology. By casting the head with a hollow socket, the axe could be fitted more securely onto a wooden haft, creating a stronger and more effective tool for work and combat.
Length: ± 76,6 mm
Diameter: ± 20,5 mm maximum
Condition: very good and solid condition. Bronze with attractive smooth and shiny olive green patina. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Socketed axes became widespread during the later Bronze Age and represent one of the most characteristic forms of prehistoric bronze tools. Earlier bronze axes had usually been flat or flanged, but the introduction of the socket allowed the head to be mounted more firmly onto the handle. This made the tool more durable and practical, whether used in woodworking, clearing land, or as a weapon.
Bronze Age metalworkers achieved a high level of technical skill in casting such objects, producing standardised yet effective forms that circulated across wide regions of Europe. Socketed axes are therefore important not only as practical implements, but also as evidence of technological progress, trade, and the growing sophistication of prehistoric craft traditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Bronze Age, votive socketed axe with a hollow central socket, 3 upstanding ribs at the shaft and a fantastic smooth and shiny olive green patina.
-> Socketed axes marked an important development in Bronze Age technology. By casting the head with a hollow socket, the axe could be fitted more securely onto a wooden haft, creating a stronger and more effective tool for work and combat.
Length: ± 76,6 mm
Diameter: ± 20,5 mm maximum
Condition: very good and solid condition. Bronze with attractive smooth and shiny olive green patina. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Socketed axes became widespread during the later Bronze Age and represent one of the most characteristic forms of prehistoric bronze tools. Earlier bronze axes had usually been flat or flanged, but the introduction of the socket allowed the head to be mounted more firmly onto the handle. This made the tool more durable and practical, whether used in woodworking, clearing land, or as a weapon.
Bronze Age metalworkers achieved a high level of technical skill in casting such objects, producing standardised yet effective forms that circulated across wide regions of Europe. Socketed axes are therefore important not only as practical implements, but also as evidence of technological progress, trade, and the growing sophistication of prehistoric craft traditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Bronze Age
Century/timeframe
1000-800 BC
Name of object
votive socketed Axe
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
