993 - Large and heavy, decorated socketed axe, Late Bronze Age of Eastern Europe, 10th century B.C.

Large and heavy, decorated socketed axe, Late Bronze Age of Eastern Europe, 10th century B.C. Bronze socketed axe with a rectangular cross-section and trapezoidal outline. The cutting edge at the end of the slightly converging narrow sides is curved. Relief decoration with beaded ribs on both visible sides: a casting seam runs around the mouth of the socket. In the rear part of the socket, a decoration depicting the outline of a pair of wings, bordered on the sides by ridges and divided in the center by two crossed ridges into four recessed sectors. In the fields of the rear two sectors, a pointed ridge in the center of each. On both sides, in the rear part of the decoration, there is a casting defect in the form of an elongated opening. On the narrow sides, there are casting seams and, extending directly from the mouth of the spout, one eyelet on each side. Spotty, dark green patina, partially with tiny corrosion marks. Otherwise completely intact. Length 12.6 cm. Height at the cutting edge 5 cm, from eyelet to eyelet 9.3 cm. Width at the spout opening 4 cm. An exceptionally well-preserved and particularly heavy example of an Early Bronze Age spouted axe. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: Private collection in Middle Franconia, inherited from the owner’s father. Acquired from him in the 1990s. Condition: I–II