Viking axe with christian cross? Pictures.

[Lee]

I would be pleased to have such provenance on more of my own collection, such as it is.

I wonder if the pristine areas reflect so-called glodeskall?

Glodeskall refers to a compound of iron and oxygen (Fe.O.) created when an iron object is subjected to intense heat. Glodeskall
forms a shell ( skal ) or skin around the object and, as long as it is intact, provides some protection against corrosion.
However, it often has minute cracks, which may permit corrosion to quickly attack the object behind the shell.

From Swords of the Viking Age

[C4RL]

Originally Posted by Lee

I wonder if the pristine areas reflect so-called glodeskall

Glodeskall = "Blacksmith's scale" I wonder?

I don't see "scale" on this head.

Amazing how crisp the non corroded parts of this head are, it'd definitely be interesting to know how it was originally found, how some areas survived free of oxidation especially as it's damaged so one wouldn't expect great care to have been taken with it!

It's not easy to tell from images but it looks a very uniform iron, no evidence of "grain" or impurities.
Interesting!

.

[Esotec]

Yes, I'm really happy with the provenance.
Took two pictures that better show the surface of the blade.
Dont think its glodeskall.
I am also surprised by the condition. Maybe the axe lay in sandy soil/sand, maybe Peat?

[Esotec]

Got the papers on the provenance today.
Unfortunately, it is not mentioned where the ax was found, which is sad.
But I received a copy of receipt of sale by Philippe Misslier at the Kassel Waffenboerse 2016 where it is stated that the axe was part of Charles Buttin's collection.
Unfortunately, it is a receipt for a lump sum purchase of x number of axes and other items where all have been included in Buttin's collection and some were published in Rumilly in 1933.
My axe is thus not specifically mentioned but one of many.
How do you think it affects the value of the provenance?

[Radboud]

Originally Posted by Esotec

Got the papers on the provenance today.
Unfortunately, it is not mentioned where the ax was found, which is sad.
But I received a copy of receipt of sale by Philippe Misslier at the Kassel Waffenboerse 2016 where it is stated that the axe was part of Charles Buttin's collection.
Unfortunately, it is a receipt for a lump sum purchase of x number of axes and other items where all have been included in Buttin's collection and some were published in Rumilly in 1933.
My axe is thus not specifically mentioned but one of many.
How do you think it affects the value of the provenance?

If your axe isn’t specifically identified in the papers then it’s the same as having no provenance in my opinion.

I’d take the auction house up on that, as there is no way to prove that your item is one of the axes mentioned.

[Radboud]

I've re-read your post a couple of times to try and understand the paper trail, such as it is for this item. This is what I understand it to be; is it correct?

The vendor (via the auction house) claimed to have purchased this axe head at an arms fair in 2016 from the dealer Philippe Misslier as part of a lot that was proported to come from the Charles Buttin collection.

To support the claim a receipt from Philippe has been provided. However this receipt does not specifically identify this axe head; only that x number were included in the sale.

I see two issues with this 'paper trail'.
1. There is no evidence that this axe head was purchased from Philippe Misslier in 2016 and
2. There is no evidence that this axe head was part of the Charlees Buttin collection.

All we have to go on is the unknown vendors' word...

[Esotec]

Originally Posted by Radboud

I've re-read your post a couple of times to try and understand the paper trail, such as it is for this item. This is what I understand it to be; is it correct?

The vendor (via the auction house) claimed to have purchased this axe head at an arms fair in 2016 from the dealer Philippe Misslier as part of a lot that was proported to come from the Charles Buttin collection.

To support the claim a receipt from Philippe has been provided. However this receipt does not specifically identify this axe head; only that x number were included in the sale.

I see two issues with this 'paper trail'.
1. There is no evidence that this axe head was purchased from Philippe Misslier in 2016 and
2. There is no evidence that this axe head was part of the Charlees Buttin collection.

All we have to go on is the unknown vendors' word...

You are correct.
I'm in contact with the auction house to see what can be done. They will contact seller and see if he has any more documentation..
If they get an expert to authenticate the axe. That maybe would make things a bit better for me.
Remember that this is an well known auction house with a reputation to think about.

[Hotspur]

Originally Posted by Lee

I would be pleased to have such provenance on more of my own collection, such as it is.

I wonder if the pristine areas reflect so-called glodeskall?



From Swords of the Viking Age

Case hardening? A harder candy coated softer metal.

Cheers
GC