Neolithic Fatjanovo Culture Battle Axehead

Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium BC
A large and finely formed boat-shaped axe in a dark diorite with asymmetric convex cutting edge tapering, with pronounced 'seam' to upper surface, to shouldered and rounded 'hammer' butt, pierced to receive handle with projecting socket to underside. 868 grams, 20.5cm (8"). Extremely fine condition. Rare.
Provenance
From the London collection of Aleksey Vinokurov, formed from the 1920s-1951; collection number 40, acquired in London in 1946; previously in the Yakimof collection, London, UK; accompanied by a copy of the collection inventory dated 1951; supplied with geologic report No. TL005209, by geologic consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz.
Literature
See Glob, P. V., Danske Oldsager II, Yngre Stenalder, Copenhagen, 1952, no.333 for general form and no.486 for an example with collared butt; also for a group of two similar examples see Christie's New York, 4 June 2015, lot 72 [US$10,000-15,000].