Viking Gotland Axe – Deepeeka

This Viking Cross Axe has an axehead of unsharpened blackened steel mounted and double-pinned to a thick haft of polished hardwood.

This unusual axe is based on an axe found in Gotland, Sweden and dated to the late 10th century. Other similar cut-out cross axes have been found in Scandinavia, though they represent a rarity among the total period axes represented from this time period.

The cross may be associated with the gradual acceptance of Christianity by Scandinavian peoples, though their conversion in this period typically featured a merging and melding of both earlier the traditional Norse pantheon and mythology with Christian elements. Some Thors Hammer pendants appear to be a merging of that symbol with the cross. Perhaps this axe is such an example?

These surviving cross axes appear to be constructed robustly enough to be used as a weapon if needed, though it is assumed that due to their rarity they may have been a more symbolic or ceremonial item. Like the originals, this replica is solidly constructed.