French or Italian. Forged iron 18 5/8" length with delicately and beautifully pierced axe blade with curved back spike, both with intricate scrolling foliage and decorated with concentric circles. Tapered fore spike pierced with a series of apertures continuing as lines of circles. Baluster bolster and tapered socket. The surface with old stable oxidation growth over crisp surfaces. Evidently untouched for centuries and spared the repeated cleaning and polishing ordinarily encountered Elegant as is or could be carefully cleaned to the surfaces which may reveal additional decoration. Easily rehafted if desired. About as elegant as they get and surely made for an elite guard unit, probably for a royal master or high ranking clergyman.
