Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1513

Anglo-Saxon Iron 'Battle Damaged' Shield Boss and Spear

CIRCA 6TH CENTURY A.D.

6 3/4 - 6 7/8 in. (437 grams total, 17-17.5 cm).

Comprising: ferrous shield boss of Härke & Dickinson's Type 3 with broad flange, deep sidewall with carination and domed cone; flared apex stud; traces of fixing rivets in underside of flange; spearhead of Swanton's Type E2, lenticular in section with elongated lozengiform profile, split socket. [2, No Reserve]

Provenance

Found East Anglia, UK.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Literature

Cf. Dickinson, T. & Härke, H., Early Anglo-Saxon Shields, London, 1992, p.14; Swanton, M.J., Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements, London, 1973, fig.25.

Footnotes

The distortion to the shield boss appears to have been produced by an impact blow from a sturdy, wedge-section blade, probably an axe.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1513

Anglo-Saxon Iron 'Battle Damaged' Shield Boss and Spear

Sold for (Inc. bp): £221

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Luristan Bronze Leaf-Shaped Dagger Blade
    Luristan Bronze Leaf-Shaped Dagger Blade
    2nd-1st millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £221

    With a triangular blade flaring to the shoulders and wide midrib, narrow tang with one hole for rivet. 218 grams, 30 cm



    Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £78

    Bulbous body with a pointed end and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 712 grams, 14 cm



    From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £85

    Bulbous body with domed mouth, impressed lozenges and dots to the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 354 grams, 10.3 cm



    From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list