Neolithic Jasper and Agate Java Axe - 72 mm (No reserve price)
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 200 - € 250
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Description from the seller
Rare Neolithic adze/axle Java (1935) – Jasper/Chalcedony – Dr. Franssen Collection
Description:
A unique archaeological top piece for the serious collector! A beautifully smooth and polished Neolithic adze/axle from West Java, Indonesia. This object is fully documented, 100% authentic and equipped with an original old paper collection label.
Age / Dating:
This artifact dates from the late Stone Age (Neolithic of Southeast Asia) and is estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 years old (ca. 2000 – 1000 BCE).
Material & Stone Type:
The axe is made from a characteristic microcrystalline quartz variety, very typical of high-quality Javanese artifacts from this period. It features a beautiful mix of opaque brown-orange jasper and translucent to semi-translucent chalcedony/agate zones. These hard, valuable stones could be sharpened to an exceptionally fine edge, giving the object great material and ceremonial value.
Provenance & History (see label):
Collected by: Dr. C.J.H. Franssen (well-known Dutch researcher in the former Dutch Indies).
Location: Buitenzorg (now Bogor), West Java.
Year of discovery/cataloging: 1935.
Inventory: Original handwritten number 2970/371 on the stone.
Dimensions & Details:
Length: 72 mm
Width: 30-40 mm (elegantly tapering to the cutting edge)
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 65 grams
Condition: Excellently preserved cutting edge and glossy polished surface.
This slim, trapezoidal model is a textbook example of the famous Javanese square-axe cult. Due to its light weight and thinness, it was presumably a status or trade object, or used for very fine woodworking.
Delivered excluding the shown plexiglass stand.
Sale & Shipping:
PLEASE NOTE: Shipping is carried out exclusively within the European Union (EU). We do not ship to Switzerland, the United Kingdom (England) or other non-EU countries due to customs and export restrictions on antiquities.
Rare Neolithic adze/axle Java (1935) – Jasper/Chalcedony – Dr. Franssen Collection
Description:
A unique archaeological top piece for the serious collector! A beautifully smooth and polished Neolithic adze/axle from West Java, Indonesia. This object is fully documented, 100% authentic and equipped with an original old paper collection label.
Age / Dating:
This artifact dates from the late Stone Age (Neolithic of Southeast Asia) and is estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 years old (ca. 2000 – 1000 BCE).
Material & Stone Type:
The axe is made from a characteristic microcrystalline quartz variety, very typical of high-quality Javanese artifacts from this period. It features a beautiful mix of opaque brown-orange jasper and translucent to semi-translucent chalcedony/agate zones. These hard, valuable stones could be sharpened to an exceptionally fine edge, giving the object great material and ceremonial value.
Provenance & History (see label):
Collected by: Dr. C.J.H. Franssen (well-known Dutch researcher in the former Dutch Indies).
Location: Buitenzorg (now Bogor), West Java.
Year of discovery/cataloging: 1935.
Inventory: Original handwritten number 2970/371 on the stone.
Dimensions & Details:
Length: 72 mm
Width: 30-40 mm (elegantly tapering to the cutting edge)
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 65 grams
Condition: Excellently preserved cutting edge and glossy polished surface.
This slim, trapezoidal model is a textbook example of the famous Javanese square-axe cult. Due to its light weight and thinness, it was presumably a status or trade object, or used for very fine woodworking.
Delivered excluding the shown plexiglass stand.
Sale & Shipping:
PLEASE NOTE: Shipping is carried out exclusively within the European Union (EU). We do not ship to Switzerland, the United Kingdom (England) or other non-EU countries due to customs and export restrictions on antiquities.
Details
Era
Before 1400
Culture
Neolithic
Country of origin
Indonesia
Century/timeframe
2000 - 1000 BC
Material
Jasper and Agate Java
Acquired from
Inherited
Condition
Very good +
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Ethnic group/culture
Neolithic
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
72 mm
Width
40 mm
Sold with stand
No
Previous owner - year acquired
1993
Depth
10 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Overall Length
72 mm
Military Context
No
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.
