10th-11th century A.D. An iron double axehead from Byzantium or Caucasus with square parallel blades, swept rear edge, square chin, central ovoidal socket with lower curved shaft hole. Cf. axes of the Vatevi collection in the Philippopolis Museum, with the same squared chin although single-edged; cf. Nicolle, D., The Armies of Islam 7th-11th century, London, 1982, pl.D2; for examples represented in artworks see Nicolle, D., Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era, 1050-1350 AD, volume II, London, 1999, figs.33c, 119e-f. 795 grams, 21.2 cm (8 3/8 in.) Ex California, USA, collection formed since the late 1960s. European art market before the late 1990s. Small battle double axes like this one, are rarely found in archaeology, but were used by Eastern Romans and Armenians, where they are widely represented in the artworks (Studite Psalter, Byzantium, British Library 2; Armenian Gospel, 11th century, , Yerevan, Armenia). Such weapons might have parallels in the light tabarzin cavalry axe of contemporary Islamic sources. Many Armenian mercenaries served in the Fatimid armies and their traditional equipment, like the double-axe, soon appeared in Egyptian art. [No Reserve]Condition Report: Fine condition.