2nd millennium BC. A light Salisbury Type votive socketted axehead with facetted body, bulbous socket, flared blade with almost straight cutting edge and radiating lines ending in pellets to each flat face; small loop to one side below the mouth. Cf. Schmidt, P.K. & Burgess, C.B. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England, Prähistorische Bronzefunde, Ab. IX, vol. 7 Munich, 1981 p.241-4. 102 grams, 10cm (4"). The Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s; collection number AX56; previously in the Sir Richard Ground (1949-2014) Collection, Derbyshire, UK; acquired Lodge Antiquities, Lincolnshire, UK, 2006; accompanied by a copy of the Lodge Antiquities order, invoice, receipt and Certificate of Authenticity; and Sir Richard's personal illustrated catalogue sheets which describe the piece fully, give details and circumstances of his acquisition, academic references and general notes. The axehead is clearly too light and too brittle to have been made for any practical purpose, and therefore a votive purpose is most likely. Chris Rudd has collected ancient coins and antiquities since the 1940s. As an amateur archaeologist he found many himself at Badbury Rings, Dorset, 1952-53. He also dug at Hod Hill with Professor Sir Ian Richmond and at Wroxeter with Dame Kathleen Kenyon and Dr Graham Webster. Today he is best known as a Celtic coin dealer. His catalogues have been described as ‘an important research source’ by Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe and ‘treasure houses of delight’ by Dr Anne Ross. Coins and artefacts associated with Chris Rudd – as a collector, dealer and valuer – can be seen in The British Museum and other museums. This collection was formed since the 1970s.

Fine condition.