Axehead for discussion

colin henshaw · 21st September 2017, 07:27 PM

I believe the patina etc of this axe head are as a result of modern "conservation" methods. I have seen several similar examples in recent times, and it could well be ancient.

Evgeny_K · 22nd September 2017, 11:11 AM

It's so-called "Byzantine" battle axe.
Here is an excavated example from Crimea.
As for the discussed axe head, I'm not sure that it's authentic.

Victrix · 22nd September 2017, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evgeny_K

It's so-called "Byzantine" battle axe.
Here is an excavated example from Crimea.
As for the discussed axe head, I'm not sure that it's authentic.

Would this type of axe have been used by the Varangian guard?

Evgeny_K · 22nd September 2017, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victrix

Would this type of axe have been used by the Varangian guard?

I'm not sure.

silberschatzimsee · 22nd September 2017, 04:26 PM

@all Thank you for your input
It was sold to me as byzantine broad axe , modern cleaned and conserved, to me. So evgeny was spot on with his excavated example which looks very similar.
Its from a london collection which contained a lot of viking axeheads formed in the 1950s.

I have attached more pictures of the axehead. It seems as there is some black coating and then some kind of wax applied on top of it.

kronckew · 22nd September 2017, 09:25 PM

it shows a few more warts and booboos than the original photo, which is good. over 'conserved' and polished a bit too much if it is real. inside of the eye looks like what i'd expect in an old head w/o it's haft. not conserved as much.

CutlassCollector · 23rd September 2017, 04:44 PM

Nice axe and a close match to Evgeny_K's example.

But I share the doubts about the age.
Apart from the lack of warts and wrinkles as has already been pointed out, the edges are too neat even chamfered in places. I'm unconvinced that any conservation would go that far or turn out that good on a roughly 800 year old axe.
CC

22nd September 2017, 11:11 AM	#2
Evgeny_K Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 216	It's so-called "Byzantine" battle axe. Here is an excavated example from Crimea. As for the discussed axe head, I'm not sure that it's authentic. Attached Images

22nd September 2017, 04:26 PM	#5
silberschatzimsee Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 90	@all Thank you for your input It was sold to me as byzantine broad axe , modern cleaned and conserved, to me. So evgeny was spot on with his excavated example which looks very similar. Its from a london collection which contained a lot of viking axeheads formed in the 1950s. I have attached more pictures of the axehead. It seems as there is some black coating and then some kind of wax applied on top of it. Attached Images

21st September 2017, 07:27 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	I believe the patina etc of this axe head are as a result of modern "conservation" methods. I have seen several similar examples in recent times, and it could well be ancient.

22nd September 2017, 09:25 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,249	it shows a few more warts and booboos than the original photo, which is good. over 'conserved' and polished a bit too much if it is real. inside of the eye looks like what i'd expect in an old head w/o it's haft. not conserved as much.

23rd September 2017, 04:44 PM	#7
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 368	Nice axe and a close match to Evgeny_K's example. But I share the doubts about the age. Apart from the lack of warts and wrinkles as has already been pointed out, the edges are too neat even chamfered in places. I'm unconvinced that any conservation would go that far or turn out that good on a roughly 800 year old axe. CC