Ca. 900-1100 AD An iron bearded axe head with a slender and long curved blade and a reinforced poll that may have been used as a hammer. The profile of the blade is square at the lower edge in the classic Skeggøx or 'bearded' profile manner. Bearded axes were common from the 6th century AD onwards in Scandinavia but made especially famous by the Vikings. In bearded axes, the main part of the blade extends below the butt of the axe creating a large cutting blade that allows fighters to hook onto the shields or weapons of their opponents. For more information on Viking axes see Hubbard, B. (2016) The Viking Warrior. London: Amber Books Ltd. Size: L:238mm / W:120mm ; 1.31kg Provenance: Property of an Oxfordshire art professional; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK / International art markets.