Viking Iron Hoard - Bit, Spear, Axe, & Chisel

Northern Europe, Viking culture, ca. early 10th century CE. A fascinating hoard of four iron artifacts: a horse bit, an axe, a chisel, and a socketed spearhead. The horse bit is composed of two thick iron wires looped around each other on one end and around two iron rings on the other. The axe and chisel are both of simple form, the kind of tools that any Viking would be happy to keep on a belt. The spearhead has a tapering, cylindrical socket and a broad, leaf-shaped blade with a thin, sharply-delineated ridge. Size of largest piece (axe head): 7.75" W (19.7 cm). Comes with two separate stands displaying all four pieces.

Together, these items constituted a Viking hoard. They were treasured items for someone, left behind in antiquity - whether as votive deposits, or, more likely, with the intention of returning to acquire them at a later date. Who knows what may have happened to that original hoarder, who was indefinitely waylaid by some circumstance of life a thousand years ago?

Provenance: ex-private Green collection, acquired in the UK

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#144012
Condition Report: All are in nice condition with clear forms. Surfaces have been stabilized to prevent further corrosion. Oxidized patina, in some areas heavy or encrusted, especially on the spearhead. Some chips from blade edges, especially on the axe head. Nice movement of bit components.