Ca. 900-1000 AD An iron axe head comprising a short, curved blade, elongated cheek, lozenge-shaped poll and round socket. The bearded axe, or Skeggøx (from Old Norse Skegg, "beard", and øx, "axe") was common from the 6th century AD onwards in Scandinavia but made most famous by the Vikings, who used these axes in battles to terrible effect. In bearded axes, the main part of the axe blade extends below the butt of the axe, creating a large cutting blade and allowing a fighter 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:197mm / W:55mm ; 945g Provenance: Property of an Oxfordshire art professional; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK / International art markets.