Axe Head
This steel head for a small axe or hatchet has a single asymmetrical blade at one end and a squared poll, or butt, at the opposite end. The top of the axe head forms a straight horizontal line from the upper corner, or toe, of the blade to the end of the poll. The bottom corner, or heel, of the cutting edge is set slightly back to form a steep point, or beard, at the base of the blade. The eye (opening for the missing haft) is slightly oval. The axe head is incised with the same decorative patterns along the length of both sides. These designs feature a triangle with a spade at each corner on the cheeks of the blade and a circle containing a whirling motif on the sides of the poll. Portions of the triangle-spade motif, the whirling motif, and other incised patterns are overlaid with copper alloy. The top of the poll and the area forward of the eye also have incised decoration, including a crescent overlaid in copper alloy at the rear of the eye. There may be traces of silver on other parts of the designs.
Artwork Details
- Title: Axe Head
- Date: possibly 16th–17th century
- Culture: possibly Tartar-Circassian, Crimean Khanate
- Medium: Steel, silver (?), copper alloy
- Dimensions: 5 3/4 x 3 x 1 3/8 in. (14.6 x 7.6 x 3.5 cm)
- Classification: Shafted Weapons
- Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Kirill A. Rivkin, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.550
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Western European
ca. 1400
probably German
ca. 1400–1430
Clemens Horn
1600–1625
European, probably Scandinavia
10th century
On loan to The Met
French or North American
dated 1760
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