POST MEDIEVAL AXE

1250

A cast lead miniature axehead of medieval or post medieval date. The axehead has a blade which flares out to a curved cutting edge. The blade is attached to a transverse socket. On the opposite side of the socket to the blade is an incomplete projection. This is thicker at the terminal (approximately 3.4mm) than at any point on the blade opposite. The axehead is 23.9 long, 18.6mm wide. The socket has an internal diameter of 3.2mm. The axehead has a mass of 2.9g The axehead has a matt brown surface, which is distinctly lighter where there has been some loss of surface. Both sides of the blade are decorated with a raised curvilinear design. The cutting edge is bevelled. One side of the socket has a raised rectangular design. The other side appears also decorated but the raised design is unclear. The projection opposite the blade is also decorated with raised lines on one side. No decoration is evident on the other side.In "Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges", Spencer (1998, p. 301) comments that a:"...popular group of badges highlighted weapons and other items of military equipment. In this category, miniature axeheads are by far the commonest finds. Their significance is uncertain, however."But he does comment (ibid. p.303) that:"Inscriptions and heraldry on some of the axeheads suggest the possibility that they, too, like the sporting favours flaunted by rival supporters today, may have been worn by spectators at tournaments and combats."Spencer (ibid. p303) states that:"On the evidence of the examples that are securely dated, the axes (for the axeheads appear to have been fitted with little wooden hafts) were first manufactured in the second half of the 13th century and continued to be made, sometimes in updated forms, until the 16th century."