African Iron Socketted Spearhead

Double-edged long sword (spatha) of type Osterburken-Kemathen; the blade with squared shoulders, broken into two parts for sacrificial reasons, tapering towards the point; sturdy tang partially preserved; wooden traces of the scabbard and hilt still visible; accompanied by a bronze outer rim of a scabbard; restored. 630 grams total, 78 cm long



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

The deliberate fragmentation of a sword, often into three pieces, was a symbolic act of ‘killing’ the weapon, which was then placed as a grave good or offered in a ceremonial context. This was a Germanic custom already visible in the Vandal Przeworsk culture around the 3rd or 4th century A.D., which continued in Northern European areas until the 5th and the 6th centuries A.D.

Longsword of Oakeshott's Type XVIII b, cross style 11, pommel style I1, with a strongly tapering pointed blade with a shallow ‘flattened diamond’ cross-section without fullers; the edges straight and tapering without curving to the point; guard characterised by a well-defined cross-guard with knobbed ends, long grip slightly tapering towards the facetted pommel. 1.43 kg, 114.5 cm



From the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany, mid 20th century. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 13035-248000.

Of Petersen's Type S (Wheeler Type III) with five graduated lobes; hollow, the lower face a swept arc; pierced through the tallest lobe to accept the tang of the sword's blade. 61 grams, 54 mm



Found UK. From an Colchester, UK, collection.