Viking Age axe from the Baltic

Jeff Pringle · 16th June 2010, 05:35 PM

Here’s a wonderful example of this stylish axe type that was in use in Sweden and the Baltic region during the Viking period….

The stamped decoration is of the same type used on some of the axes illustrated in Peter Paulsen’s “Axt und Kreutz bie den Nordgermannen,” Fig. 27.

Check out this one from the Swedish museum, it has crazy proto-art deco inlay pattern and a remarkable state of preservation:
http://wwwt.historiska.se/mis/sok/in....asp?uid=74125

Jim McDougall · 16th June 2010, 09:45 PM

Outstanding axe Jeff!!!! Most interesting markings in linear motif on it also. Can you show more on the markings overall?

While certainly not identical, you can really see the influences of these in shape in some of the early Scottish axes, looking at Caldwell ("Scottish Weapons and Fortifications 1100-1800, p.267). Needless to say, the Highlands, especially the Isles, were heavily 'visited' by Vikings from Norway and Denmark.

fernando · 17th June 2010, 05:26 PM

Fantastic piece, Jeff
Congratulations

Jeff Pringle · 22nd June 2010, 04:35 PM

Thanks

Paulsen separates out axes decorated with stamps, punches and lines in the aforementioned book, this one not only has the stamps and punch marks but also has the remnants of some incised crosshatch decoration where the bit transitions to the socket, so I’m not sure how he would have classified it. The type is also addressed by Kirpicnikov in his book “Old Russian Weapons” (Древнерусскoе oружие, 1966); despite saying that they show up earlier in the Baltic he tries to claim they are a Russian invention if google translate is not steering me wrong.

Here is the decoration with more oblique illumination.

16th June 2010, 05:35 PM	#1
Jeff Pringle Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 189	Viking Age axe from the Baltic Here’s a wonderful example of this stylish axe type that was in use in Sweden and the Baltic region during the Viking period…. The stamped decoration is of the same type used on some of the axes illustrated in Peter Paulsen’s “Axt und Kreutz bie den Nordgermannen,” Fig. 27. Check out this one from the Swedish museum, it has crazy proto-art deco inlay pattern and a remarkable state of preservation: http://wwwt.historiska.se/mis/sok/in....asp?uid=74125 Attached Images

22nd June 2010, 04:35 PM	#4
Jeff Pringle Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 189	Thanks Paulsen separates out axes decorated with stamps, punches and lines in the aforementioned book, this one not only has the stamps and punch marks but also has the remnants of some incised crosshatch decoration where the bit transitions to the socket, so I’m not sure how he would have classified it. The type is also addressed by Kirpicnikov in his book “Old Russian Weapons” (Древнерусскoе oружие, 1966); despite saying that they show up earlier in the Baltic he tries to claim they are a Russian invention if google translate is not steering me wrong. Here is the decoration with more oblique illumination. Attached Images

16th June 2010, 09:45 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Outstanding axe Jeff!!!! Most interesting markings in linear motif on it also. Can you show more on the markings overall? While certainly not identical, you can really see the influences of these in shape in some of the early Scottish axes, looking at Caldwell ("Scottish Weapons and Fortifications 1100-1800, p.267). Needless to say, the Highlands, especially the Isles, were heavily 'visited' by Vikings from Norway and Denmark.

17th June 2010, 05:26 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Fantastic piece, Jeff Congratulations