c.10th century AD. A small iron axehead with vertical panels to the socket, domed striking face to the rear, short T-shaped blade with narrow shank and curved edge; silver and gold filigree ornament including interlaced three-band serpent motifs to the two lateral socket panels, Ringerike style coiled serpents to the blade extending along the neck. Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.14 (1) and (10), for type. 78 grams, 10cm (4"). Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. Apanied by an archaeological expertise by military specialist Dr. Raffaele D’Amato. Apanied by a positive metal test number HM1452 from an Oxford specialist. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is apanied by AIAD certificate number no.11130-183091. [No Reserve] [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions .]