Viking Mammen Axe

                                             Viking Mammen Axe

Considered to be one of the most striking archaeological finds from the Viking Age, the so-called Mammen axe was excavated from a 10th century burial mound in Mammen (near Viborg) in Jutland, Denmark. This unique piece lent its name to the eponymous Viking art style (approx. 950-1030 – a continuation of the Jelling style animal ornamentation, with the gradual phasing in of more vegetal and decidedly less geometric elements).

The male grave from which the sumptuous Viking axe and many other precious artefacts were recovered is dated to ca. 970/971 AD and believed to be the last resting place of a wealthy man of high, even princely status. The small iron axe is richly adorned with engravings inlaid with silver, niello and gold foil, which leads to assume that it was most likely a ceremonial or prestige weapon rather than a mere battle or throwing axe.

Whether the motifs on the axe head on both sides are of Christian or Pagan influence remains open. One side bears an intricate pattern of tendrils, which may either be a depiction of the Christian tree of life or the world ash tree Yggdrasil of Norse mythology. The other side features an interlaced, bird-like creature assumed to represent either a phoenix (as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection) or Gullinkambi, the rooster perched atop Yggdrasil who wakes 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 more grave goods and textile remains from the so-called Mammen Find (Danish: Mammenfundet) can be seen at the National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet) in Copenhagen.

This Viking axe we offer here closely replicates the highly detailed engraved motifs and patterns of the silver-inlaid original. The high carbon steel axe head has a 10 cm long, unsharpened edge and is mounted on a 41 cm long wooden shaft.

Please note that this Early Medieval axe is not a battle ready weapon. It is primarily designed as a collector's or decoration/display piece and is by no means suited for combat re-enactment. Apart from being a collectible, it is also perfectly suited as a prop.

Details:

Blade material: high carbon steel (not stainless), unsharpened

Handle material: ash wood

Overall length (shaft): approx. 41 cm

Axe head: approx. 16 x 10 cm

Blade thickness: approx. 1 cm (approx. 0.5 cm before the edge)

Shaft thickness: approx. 2.5 x 1.3 cm

Weight: approx. 520 g

Supplied WITHOUT sheath

Specs may slightly vary from piece to piece.

The steel used is not rust-proof and might show slight surface tarnishing in places. We recommend you to maintain the blade on a regular basis with an oil that is used for steel care

Please Note:

We do not sell this product to customers under the age of 18.Please email us a copy of your Driving licence or passport upon ordering as proof of i.d