A Neolithic polished greenstone axe from the Swiss Lakes

Code: 2505

Description: A polished greenstone axe, the surface weathered and with some shallow inoffensive chips to the cutting edge, otherwise condition good, labelled as from the Swiss Lakes, Switzerland.

Size: 108 mm/4.2 ins. in length

Culture: Prehistoric

Date: Neolithic, c. 2000-3500 B.C.

Provenance: Ex Dr H.A. Fawcett Collection, and with his collectors mark.

Background: Dr Hugh Alderson Fawcett (1891-1982) built up an important collection of ancient implements, weapons and ornaments that eventually numbered some eight thousand items. The bulk of this collection is now in the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, but Fawcett previously sold or traded many pieces in order to improve his collection. His distinctive monogram and careful recording of provenance makes his pieces readily identifiable.