Bronze Age Bronze Adze-Axe Head






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Bronze Age bronze adze-axe head with a vertical cutting blade and a horizontal pick-adze on the opposite side, dating to circa 1200–600 BC, in good condition with wear and patination, measuring 13.5 cm long, 4.1 cm wide and 5 cm high, from the Ex. London Collection.
Description from the seller
A fine Bronze Age bronze adze-axehead featuring an undecorated, cylindrical shaft hole with a flattened top. The cutting blade is set vertically at a right-angle, whilst the pick-adze blade is arranged horizontally at the opposite side. The adze-axehead features signs of wear, such as chips, green-brown patination and earthly encrustations to the surface, all consistent with age. Chipping to the base of the shaft hole and edges of the blade, warping to the metal.
The adze axe was a fundamental axe of many Bronze Age ancient cultures the world over. Its form was one that lends itself to dual purposes, for war and peace. As a tool, it functions to shape wood in fabricating a variety of objects or even wooden beams for construction. As a weapon, its heavy mass and compact form made it a very deadly striking and chopping weapon, even able to defeat light armour. Unadorned weapons, especially axes, adzes and picks, were made by craftsmen using simple clay or stone bivalve moulds, into which was inserted a core to form the socket for the shaft.
Measurements: L 13.5cm x W 4.1cm x H 5cm
Provenance: Ex. London Collection, formed between 1990 - present.
Seller's Story
A fine Bronze Age bronze adze-axehead featuring an undecorated, cylindrical shaft hole with a flattened top. The cutting blade is set vertically at a right-angle, whilst the pick-adze blade is arranged horizontally at the opposite side. The adze-axehead features signs of wear, such as chips, green-brown patination and earthly encrustations to the surface, all consistent with age. Chipping to the base of the shaft hole and edges of the blade, warping to the metal.
The adze axe was a fundamental axe of many Bronze Age ancient cultures the world over. Its form was one that lends itself to dual purposes, for war and peace. As a tool, it functions to shape wood in fabricating a variety of objects or even wooden beams for construction. As a weapon, its heavy mass and compact form made it a very deadly striking and chopping weapon, even able to defeat light armour. Unadorned weapons, especially axes, adzes and picks, were made by craftsmen using simple clay or stone bivalve moulds, into which was inserted a core to form the socket for the shaft.
Measurements: L 13.5cm x W 4.1cm x H 5cm
Provenance: Ex. London Collection, formed between 1990 - present.
Seller's Story
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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.
