8 AMULET-AXE, RILA MONASTERY

Eighth to seventh century B.C. Bronze, height 9.4 cm. Ecclesiastical Museum, Sofia.

The crescent shape of a bird has an ornamental head at either end with a beak, bulging eyes and a crest curved like a horn. The axe was suspended by a ring at the back of the bird. Instead of feet, it has a square axe blade. Apparently, this type of axe with ornamental birds' heads was worn as an amulet.

Ibid.p 349