Viking Mammen Axe

Viking Mammen Axe

The so-called Mammen Axe, considered one of the most remarkable and beautiful archaeological finds from the Viking Age, was recovered in Mammen (near Viborg) in Jutland, Denmark, from a 10th-century burial mound. The eponymous Viking Age art style (approx. 950-1030 – a continuation of the Jelling style dominated by animal motifs, with the gradual introduction of more plant and significantly fewer geometric elements) owes its name to this unique masterpiece.

The male grave from which the magnificent Viking axe and many other precious artifacts originate is dated to approx. 970/971 AD and was probably the final resting place of a wealthy man of high, even princely status. The small iron axe is richly decorated with engravings with silver, niello, and gold foil inlays, which suggests that it may have been more of a ritual or ceremonial weapon than a mere battle or throwing axe.

Whether the motifs adorning the axe blade on both sides are of Christian or pagan influence remains open. On one side, an elaborate vine pattern can be seen, which can be interpreted either as a representation of the Christian Tree of Life or the world ash tree Yggdrasil from Norse mythology. The other side shows an intertwined, bird-like creature that could embody both a phoenix (as a symbol of Christ's resurrection) and Gullinkambi, the rooster atop Yggdrasil's canopy, who wakes the Einherjar in Valhalla every day and will crow to the gods and warriors to announce the beginning of Ragnarök.

The original piece, along with many other grave goods and textile remnants from the so-called Mammen find (Danish: Mammenfundet), can be admired in the Danish National Museum (Nationalmuseet) in Copenhagen.

For the beautiful Viking axe we offer here, the engraved, highly detailed motifs and patterns adorning the original silver-inlaid artifact have been reproduced as faithfully as possible. The carbon steel axe head has a 10 cm long, unsharpened cutting edge and is mounted on a 41 cm long wooden shaft.

Please note that this early medieval axe is not designed for stage combat, but primarily as a collector's item or decorative object. It is also an excellent prop, for example, to complete your costume, and will simply perfect your transformation into a proud warrior.

Details:
– Blade material: Carbon steel (not stainless!), unsharpened

– Grip material: Ash wood

– Total length (shaft): approx. 41 cm

– Axe head: approx. 15 x 10 cm

– Blade thickness: approx. 1 cm (approx. 0,5 cm before the edge)

– Shaft thickness: approx. 2,8 x 1,7 cm

– Weight: approx. 550 g

– Delivery WITHOUT sheath

The above specifications may vary slightly from one item to another.

The steel used here is not stainless and may show slight signs of corrosion. We recommend regularly maintaining the blade, e.g., with Ballistol, a universal oil that is excellent for preserving steel goods.

Please note:
This item is only sold to persons over 18 years of age. Please provide your date of birth in our order form. In addition, we require a copy of your ID card, driver's license, or similar via email, scan, fax or mail.