Bronze Age Bronze Adze-Axe Head

09
days
02
hours
00
minutes
50
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 330 - € 400
No bids placed

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 142824 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

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.

AI-assisted summary

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

N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price. Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees. Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

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

N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price. Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees. Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

Details

Culture
Bronze Age
Century/timeframe
Circa 1200-600 BC
Name of object
Adze-Axe Head
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
United KingdomVerified
9767
Objects sold
100%
protop

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.

Similar objects

  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​

For you in

Archaeology

  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​