A Kievan Rus/Viking Period Iron Axe Head, ca. 9th - 11th century CE
UX2503
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A rare and elaborate iron axe head from the Kievan Rus cultural sphere, dating to the Viking period (9th–11th century CE). The head features a wide single-edged blade with a dramatically flared profile and pointed, wing-like elements projecting from the rear of the blade. Opposite the blade, a curved pike extends from the back, adding both symbolic and functional weight to the form.
At the center, a tapered socket shaft is framed by upper and lower pointed collars, the lower collar pierced with mounting holes for attachment to a haft. The composition suggests both elite utility and ceremonial display, consistent with high-status warrior graves from the Kievan Rus region—where Norse, Slavic, and steppe traditions converged.
The artistry, structural balance, and form strongly associate this piece with the militarized aristocracy of early Kievan Rus, influenced by Norse (Varangian) and nomadic steppe designs.
Medium: Iron
Dimensions: Height: 5 1/4 inches (13.3 cm), Length: 9 1/4 inches 23.5 cm)
Condition: The axe is intact and in excellent condition overall. Presented on a museum-quality custom mount.
Provenance: Emily & Walter Mead Collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico; acquired mid-20th century. The Meads, descendants of the Mead Paper Corporation family, were active collectors from the 1960s through 1990s.
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