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LOT 1536
Anglo-Saxon Warrior's Bronze Prick Spur
LATE 8TH-9TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (13 grams, 47 mm).
Comprising a horizontal D-section curved bar with paired incuse lines, vertical extensions, conical spike at the junction. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound whilst searching with a metal detector near Bottisham, East Cambridgeshire, UK, on Thursday, 1st May 2025.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SF-CF48EC.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme states: 'This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance.'
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Frankish Warrior's Iron Byrnie Chain Mail Armour
Northern Europe, circa 6th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
A nearly complete short-sleeved ring armour composed of interlocking links in the four-through-one formation with alternating rivetted rings. 4.71 kg, 65 x 75 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. 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 a search certificate number no.13041-248010.
The rings are arranged in rows, and the links within the same row do not join. Instead, each ring connects to two rings in the row above and two in the row beneath. A great majority of all-rivetted mail comes from Southern Scandinavia and Northern Europe, notably Sweden, northern Germany and Poland. All-rivetted mail already occurs there during the Roman Iron Age, and continues into the Migration, the Vendel, and then the Viking periods. Rivetted rings were usually fabricated by shaping metal wire into a circle with the ends overlapping several mm. Here, the riveted rings seem to be of reshaped oval form. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Mainly barbed and tanged types. 280 grams total, 6.3-16 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Luristan Bronze Axehead
12th-11th century B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
A spike-butted axehead with a short cylindrical socket with four furrowed ribs leading to four short spikes, blade with curved upper and lower edges and a convex cutting edge. 390 grams, 22 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
It is difficult to know whether this type of axe, given its high decoration in some specimens, was used as a weapon or was a symbol of rank and prestige, employed for ceremonial or cult purposes. However, considering that the concept of parade weapons did not exist in the surrounding areas in Antiquity, these axes were most probably used for both military and ceremonial purposes.
