16thC war axe with bird's beak

Matchlock · 27th November 2013, 07:53 PM

Hi Jasper,

Had I had anything to compare I would have jumped right in presenting it.

The origin of the style of decoration is Northern Italy, early 16th c.
When judging the age of both styles and weapons, please keep in mind that basically there were handcrafted styles first which later turned into mere decoration.

E.g., enclosed find a ca. 1530's Northern Italian war hammer and, showing the same originally turned/roped style but now merely appearing struck as an ornament, on a ca. 1540's South German Landsknecht saber, and finally, and very much like your hammer in discussion, a ca. 1600 Ambras sword (note the laterally roped decoration).

Best,
m

Matchlock · 27th November 2013, 09:51 PM

Another close stylish comparison from your Katzbalger restoration thread - see the relationsphip between the wavy and the roped lines?

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 27th November 2013, 10:22 PM

Another fine 1530's Northern Italian all-steel (these were the first in line!) war hammer retaining much of its original blackened surface.

m

Matchlock · 27th November 2013, 10:46 PM

And a finely etched vise, made by Leonhard Danner, Nuremberg, ca. 1560.

m

cornelistromp · 28th November 2013, 07:59 AM

Hi Michael,

thank you for the pictures, I found a good match, closer than expected

In the blade of the Katzbalger of Eindhoven a similar wave pattern, and in the associated tool a very similar Xcross with surrounding 1 and 2 lines respectively.
a similar griprondel guard with two holes and a hanging point I found on a war hammer in the historic museum of praque dated 1530.

I think it is likely to date the axehammer a bit earlier around 1550.

best,

Marcus den toom · 28th November 2013, 09:05 PM

I tried to find some material but didn't have the time left for a very extensive check trough my pile of information (auction season

)
I did however find some material which might be interesting, the wavy decoration seems to make its way slowly to the nort west regions of Germany. Only a assumption of course, to little facts to support this claim.. but still.
Link to bonhams auction of 27th november item number 182.
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20803/lot/182/

Other interesting items where sold in this auction as well.
Christies might have a good database as well on this subject?

kronckew · 24th May 2014, 05:52 PM

nice axe.

decorations remind me of my salyani khukuri

27th November 2013, 07:53 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Jasper, Had I had anything to compare I would have jumped right in presenting it. The origin of the style of decoration is Northern Italy, early 16th c. When judging the age of both styles and weapons, please keep in mind that basically there were handcrafted styles first which later turned into mere decoration. E.g., enclosed find a ca. 1530's Northern Italian war hammer and, showing the same originally turned/roped style but now merely appearing struck as an ornament, on a ca. 1540's South German Landsknecht saber, and finally, and very much like your hammer in discussion, a ca. 1600 Ambras sword (note the laterally roped decoration). Best, m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 27th November 2013 at 08:52 PM.

27th November 2013, 09:51 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another close stylish comparison from your Katzbalger restoration thread - see the relationsphip between the wavy and the roped lines? Best, Michael Attached Images

27th November 2013, 10:22 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another fine 1530's Northern Italian all-steel (these were the first in line!) war hammer retaining much of its original blackened surface. m Attached Images

27th November 2013, 10:46 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And a finely etched vise, made by Leonhard Danner, Nuremberg, ca. 1560. m Attached Images

28th November 2013, 07:59 AM	#5
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	Hi Michael, thank you for the pictures, I found a good match, closer than expected In the blade of the Katzbalger of Eindhoven a similar wave pattern, and in the associated tool a very similar Xcross with surrounding 1 and 2 lines respectively. a similar griprondel guard with two holes and a hanging point I found on a war hammer in the historic museum of praque dated 1530. I think it is likely to date the axehammer a bit earlier around 1550. best, Attached Images Last edited by cornelistromp; 28th November 2013 at 02:31 PM.

28th November 2013, 09:05 PM	#6
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 534	I tried to find some material but didn't have the time left for a very extensive check trough my pile of information (auction season ) I did however find some material which might be interesting, the wavy decoration seems to make its way slowly to the nort west regions of Germany. Only a assumption of course, to little facts to support this claim.. but still. Link to bonhams auction of 27th november item number 182. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20803/lot/182/ Other interesting items where sold in this auction as well. Christies might have a good database as well on this subject?

24th May 2014, 05:52 PM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	nice axe. decorations remind me of my salyani khukuri Attached Images