Western European Neolithic Polished Stone Axe Head
Western Europe, Neolithic, ca. 4500–2000 BCE. A polished stone axe head, or celt, ground into a smooth trapezoidal form that widens from a narrow, rounded butt to a broad, gently curved cutting edge. The stone is dense and speckled, with inky black and dark green crystals scattered through pale, oatmeal-colored patches and a few rust-red flecks. Long grinding and polishing have given the surface a soft, satin sheen. The faces swell slightly at the center and taper toward the bit, and the sides are flattened into neat facets. A blade like this would have been hafted in a wooden handle and used to fell trees and shape timber. Polishing such a hard stone took many hours of work, so a tool like this was also a valued possession. Size: 5.5" L x 3" W x 1.5" D (14.0 cm L x 7.6 cm W x 3.8 cm D).
Ground and polished stone axes are one of the defining technologies of the European Neolithic. Early farming communities depended on them to clear forest for fields and to build timber houses, and they spread across the continent alongside farming. Unlike knapped flint, tough igneous and metamorphic rocks had to be pecked into shape and then ground for long hours against sandstone with water and sand. The result was an edge that resisted shattering under heavy use.
Some quarries for fine axe stone, such as Great Langdale in England and Plussulien in Brittany, sent their products hundreds of miles through exchange networks. Finely finished axes were sometimes deposited in hoards, rivers, and burials, which suggests they could carry social as well as practical value.
Provenance: private Washington, D.C., USA collection
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205714
Condition
Some weathering and abrasions to surface, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with scattered earthen deposits and smooth surfaces.
Western Europe, Neolithic, ca. 4500–2000 BCE. A polished stone axe head, or celt, ground into a smooth trapezoidal form that widens from a narrow, rounded butt to a broad, gently curved cutting edge. The stone is dense and speckled, with inky black and dark green crystals scattered through pale, oatmeal-colored patches and a few rust-red flecks. Long grinding and polishing have given the surface a soft, satin sheen. The faces swell slightly at the center and taper toward the bit, and the sides are flattened into neat facets. A blade like this would have been hafted in a wooden handle and used to fell trees and shape timber. Polishing such a hard stone took many hours of work, so a tool like this was also a valued possession. Size: 5.5" L x 3" W x 1.5" D (14.0 cm L x 7.6 cm W x 3.8 cm D).
Ground and polished stone axes are one of the defining technologies of the European Neolithic. Early farming communities depended on them to clear forest for fields and to build timber houses, and they spread across the continent alongside farming. Unlike knapped flint, tough igneous and metamorphic rocks had to be pecked into shape and then ground for long hours against sandstone with water and sand. The result was an edge that resisted shattering under heavy use.
Some quarries for fine axe stone, such as Great Langdale in England and Plussulien in Brittany, sent their products hundreds of miles through exchange networks. Finely finished axes were sometimes deposited in hoards, rivers, and burials, which suggests they could carry social as well as practical value.
Provenance: private Washington, D.C., USA collection
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205714
Condition
Some weathering and abrasions to surface, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with scattered earthen deposits and smooth surfaces.
