2507/​147

A Russian wooden axe, carved and painted with leaf and bird ornaments, axe head further decorated with a person motif based on a Slavic folk tale with Cyrillic text “Dobrinushka took the bow and arrow and was then ready for battle”. On the back of the axe head is written: “To Oluf. With thanks for the night of 23 September 1910. H.N.J. Møller”. Beneath the latter's translation of the Russian text with dating “St. Petersburg 5/9 1910”. A later translation to Danish is included. W. 18 cm. L. 44 cm.

Provenance: Gift from Captain Hans Nielsen Jeppesen Mærsk-Møller (1873–1956) to his younger brother, engineer and ship inspector, Oluf Mærsk-Møller (1874–1966). It must be assumed that the older brother brought the axe home on one of his voyages as captain of one of the family's steamships. Thence by Oluf Mærsk-Møller's descendants until today.

Condition

Minimal wear due to age, including minimal cracks and chips.

Additional Remarks

Please note: The item is subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. In the event of a hammer price of DKK 50,000 or more, including buyer’s premium, the buyer must submit a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of address in order to collect the item.

Auction
Category
Estimate

4,000–6,000 DKK

Price realised

Not sold

18 bids

When Bidder Bid
1040206 4,400 DKK
991453 4,200 DKK
1040206 4,000 DKK
991453 3,800 DKK
1040206 3,600 DKK
991453 3,400 DKK
1040206 3,200 DKK
991453 3,000 DKK
1040206 2,900 DKK
991453 2,800 DKK
1040206 2,700 DKK
991453 (Auto bid) 2,600 DKK
1040206 2,500 DKK
991453 (Auto bid) 2,400 DKK
1040206 2,300 DKK
991453 2,200 DKK
1040206 2,100 DKK
51973 2,000 DKK