9TH-11TH CENTURY VIKING IRON BEARDED AXEHEAD

• This Viking iron bearded axe head dating to the circa. 9th-11th century AD, features a triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge and square chin as well as a flared socket.
• The axe was the weapon most associated with the Vikings.
• The Vikings favoured the axe as a versatile weapon, capable of being thrown from a distance as well as being used in close combat.
• Discoveries have also shown that the Vikings extensively used axes as a common tool, useful for a variety of everyday labour.
• This is a rare opportunity to own an important piece of Viking history.
• Vikings were seafaring people originally from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden), who from the late 8th to the late 11th centuries raided, pirated, traded, and settled throughout parts of Europe.
• They also voyaged as far as the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, Greenland, and Vinland (present-day Newfoundland in Canada, North America).
• In their countries of origin, and some of the countries they raided and settled in, this period is popularly known as the Viking Age.
• The Vikings had a profound impact on the early medieval history of Scandinavia, the British Isles, France, Estonia, and Kievan Rus`.
• Expert sailors and navigators of their characteristic longships, Vikings established Norse settlements and governments in the British Isles, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Normandy, and the Baltic coast, as well as along the Dnieper and Volga trade routes across modern-day Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, where they were also known as Varangians.
• The Normans, Norse-Gaels, Rus` people, Faroese, and Icelanders emerged from these Norse colonies.
• They were the first Europeans to reach North America, briefly settling in Newfoundland (Vinland).
• While spreading Norse culture to foreign lands, they simultaneously brought home slaves and foreign cultural influences to Scandinavia, influencing the genetic and historical development of both.
• The Vikings spoke Old Norse and made inscriptions in runes. For most of the period, they followed the Old Norse religion, but later became Christians.
• The Vikings had their own laws, art, and architecture. Most Vikings were also farmers, fishermen, craftsmen, and traders.
• Dated to circa. 9th-11th century AD
• Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri I Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIV, item 3.
• Size: 112mm x 68mm x 23mm
• Provenance: Held in an esteemed private collection in California, USA. This piece was acquired by the collector circa. late 1960s.
• Condition: This piece is extremely well preserved and remains in excellent condition - refer images.
• Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Internationally recognised BidSafe authentication and verification number: 4998290-11)
• Inspected and verified by an archaeologist and prominent historical author with a PhD in archaeology.
• Due to the Importance of this Piece, it was Required to have an Open General Export Licence (O.G.E.L.) Issued by the United Kingdom Government Prior to Export.
• The Arts Council England also Checked this Piece on the INTERPOL Stolen Works of Art Database and Cleared it for Export. (SN:4998290-11) (310531-1)

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