Neolithic Stone Tool - 75 mm - Polished Axe (No reserve price)

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

Estimate  € 150 - € 200
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Polished Axe from Neolithic culture, made of stone, 75 mm high by 30 mm wide by 20 mm deep, originating in France and dated to around 5000 BC, acquired from an auction house in 2025 with provenance from the United Kingdom and a previous owner from France, previously in a private collection and described as good condition.

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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.

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.

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
75 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Width
30 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
20 mm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Title additional information
Polished Axe
United KingdomVerified
1481
Objects sold
100%
Private

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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.

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