Miniature war axe

Jewelry from Kaupang
--- the first Viking town in Norway

All rights:
University museum
of cultural heritage ©
Oslo, Norway

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The original from the early Viking age (8 - 900 AD) is cast in lead and found (probably also produced) in the Viking town Kaupang near Larvik, in south Norway. It is a miniature of a common war axe from the Viking age.

Such miniature axes are rare, a few have been found in Viking age graves. Amulets shaped as miniature objects were used for their magic powers. It is possible that the miniature axe was such an amulet, but it may also have been just a piece of jewelry.