Viking Mammen Axe 0410471500

The so-called Mammen Axe, considered one of the most remarkable and beautiful archaeological finds from the Viking Age, was recovered from a 10th-century burial mound in Mammen (near Viborg) in Jutland, Denmark.
The Viking Age art style of the same name (c. 950-1030 – a continuation of the Jelling style characterized by animal motifs, with the gradual introduction of more plant elements and significantly fewer geometric ones) owes its name to this unique gem.
The men's tomb, from which the magnificent Viking axe and many other precious artifacts originate, is dated around
970/971 AD and was likely the final resting place of a wealthy man of high, even princely, status. The small iron axe is richly decorated with silver, niello, and gold-plated inlays, suggesting it may have been a ritual or ceremonial weapon rather than a mere combat or throwing axe. It remains open whether the motifs adorning the axe blade on both sides are of Christian or pagan influence.

On one side, an elaborate tendril pattern can be seen, which can be understood as a representation of the Christian tree of life or the world ash Yggdrasil from Norse mythology. The other side shows an intricate bird-like creature that could embody both a phoenix (as a symbol of Christ's resurrection) and Gullinkambi, the rooster at the top of Yggdrasil who awakens the Einherjer in Valhalla every day and will crow to the gods and warriors to announce the beginning of Ragnarök. The original piece, as well as many other additions and textile remains from the so-called Mammen find or Mammenfund (Danish: Mammenfundet) can be admired at the Danish National Museum (Nationalmuseet) in Copenhagen.

On the beautiful Viking axe we offer here, the engraved and highly detailed motifs and patterns
that adorned the original silver-inlaid artifact have been reproduced as faithfully as possible. The axe head made of carbon steel has an unsharpened 10 cm long cutting edge and is mounted on a 41 cm long wooden handle.
It should be noted that this early medieval axe is not suitable for show fighting but is primarily designed as a collector's item or decorative object.
It is also great as an accessory, e.g., to complete your costume, and will make your transformation into a proud warrior simply perfect.

Details: - Blade material: carbon steel (not rust-free!), unsharpened - Handle material: ash wood - Overall length (axe): approx. 41 cm - Axe blade: approx. 16 x 10 cm - Blade thickness: approx. 1 cm (approx. 0.5 cm in front of the cutting edge) - Axe thickness: approx. 2.5 x 1.3 cm - Weight: approx. 520 g - Delivery is without sheath
The above specifications may vary slightly from one specimen to another.
The steel used here is not rust-free
and may have slight traces of corrosion. We recommend regularly caring for the blade, e.g., with Ballistol, a universal oil that is ideal for preserving steel products.