This paper discusses the occurrence of a number of axe images at Simrishamn in Scania and at Stonehenge in Wessex, all of which can bedated to the Arreton phase/Montelius’ period 1, 1750/1700–1500 BC. These two concentrations are the only major clusters of axe images in northern Europe dating to this time. In order to understand this situation a model is discussed, which implies that these two areas were linked by a network of people who traded in metal and amber. Amber collected along the coasts of the Baltic Sea went westwards, ending up as prestigious amber objectsin Wessex; in return metal was traded from England to south Scandinavia. The function and value of amber and metal was thus different in the two areas. It is argued that differences in the conceptualisation of metal are reflected in the ways axe images are arranged and displayed in Wessex and Scania.