Dong Son Bronze Axe Blade

Description

Bronze Ceremonial Crescent Shaped (Candrasa) Axe Head Blade
Region: Dong Son Culture Vietnam
Period: 500 BC to 300 AD
Height: 27cm
Width: 32cm
Weight: 3.50Kg

This exemplary example of a large axe blade was cast during the Dong Son period of 500 BC to 300 AD. The blade shows extensive erosion and green patination having been under the ground for many centuries. It was acquired several decades ago in Java along with many other ancient artefacts. Large axe blades of the Dong Son culture were produced also as miniatures that were used as funerary gifts and for ceremonial display. Similar axes can be seen carried by the feathered warriors depicted on the renowned drums and situla from this Dong Son period of Vietnam.

The Dong Son culture was a Bronze Age culture in ancient Vietnam centred at the Red River Valley of northern Vietnam from 1000 BC until the first century AD. Its influence spread to other parts of Southeast Asia, including Maritime Southeast Asia, throughout the first millennium BC. The culture long remained a mystery to western archaeologists, and it was known only through its bronze objects, many of which were taken from burial sites. Dong Son bronze objects were exhibited in Europe for a century before their original location was even determined.
Before the arrival of the Hindu/Buddhist cultures in Indonesia, there was a period of pre-history. Not much is known about the culture of this time except that many bronze artefacts came from Dong Son. It was a bronze age culture and their skill in casting is best demonstrated by the bronze drums which are dated as being from about 600 BC. As well as drums castings were of axes, daggers, spears, rings and small animals.