Neolithic Stone Tool - 80 mm - Sharp Polished Axe
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
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Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Stone Neolithic polished axe from France dating to c. 5000 BC, titled Sharp Polished Axe, with dimensions 80 × 40 × 40 mm, acquired in 2025 from a United Kingdom auction house.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Auction house provenance, previously private collection.
The polishing of flint marks such a significant technological advance that archaeologists use this to draw the boundary between the Mesolithic and the Neolithic periods.
The polished flint axes made it possible to cultivate the land – with them large trees could be felled so there was space for fields. But these axes were also used when houses and fences were to be built or if firewood was to be chopped. Besides being tools, axes could also have important ritual and social functions. In the course of the Neolithic period the shape of axes changed. First they were ‘point-butted’, then they became thin-butted and finally they were thick-butted.
This example still retains its sharp edge, making it a remarkable find
Shipped royal mail tracked
Auction house provenance, previously private collection.
The polishing of flint marks such a significant technological advance that archaeologists use this to draw the boundary between the Mesolithic and the Neolithic periods.
The polished flint axes made it possible to cultivate the land – with them large trees could be felled so there was space for fields. But these axes were also used when houses and fences were to be built or if firewood was to be chopped. Besides being tools, axes could also have important ritual and social functions. In the course of the Neolithic period the shape of axes changed. First they were ‘point-butted’, then they became thin-butted and finally they were thick-butted.
This example still retains its sharp edge, making it a remarkable find
Shipped royal mail tracked
Details
Era
Before 1400
Culture
Neolithic
Century/ Timeframe
5000bc
Country of Origin
France
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Stone
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
80 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Width
40 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
40 mm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Title additional information
Sharp Polished Axe
Sold by
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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.
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.
