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LOT 1190
Avar-Byzantine Silver-Gilt Sword Belt Mount Group
7TH-9TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (26.5 grams, 12.2 cm long).
Comprising three belt mounts later remounted onto brown leather comprising: a rectangular strap end with rounded terminal, decorated with granulated borders, lozenges and chevrons; two roughly D-shaped mounts with apex flourish and waisted sides, also decorated with granulated lozenges and chevrons.
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1980s-1990s.
Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.
Cf. Daim, F., Hunnen + Awaren, Reitervölker aus dem Osten, Burgenländische Landesausstellung 1996, Schloß Halbturn, 26 April - 31 Oktober 1996, Eisenstadt, 1996, p.398, nos.5.365-5.367, for similar belt fittings.
FootnotesThis type of belt element decorated with granulation, is present in the Avar graves of the second half of the 7th century, and was most likely produced in the workshops of the Eastern Roman Empire, from where they reached the Avar lands as imperial gifts (tomb of Kunbàboni) or spoils of war. They were part of multiple belts, to which sabers and knives were attached, commonly used among Avars, Bulgars and Romans during the 7th and 8th centuries AD.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1190
Avar-Byzantine Silver-Gilt Sword Belt Mount Group
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Khazar Silver-Gilt Sword Belt Mount with Warrior
9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £374
Square in plan with a slightly convex openwork panel composed of alternating circular cells and leaf-like ovals, central male head with long hair and stylised facial features, possibly wearing a helmet; attachment loop to each corner on the reverse. 8.27 grams, 22 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1. -
Massive Late European Bronze Age Finely Ribbed Socketted Spearhead
Circa 10th century B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Formed with an elongated leaf-shaped blade, the socket extending into the blade in the form of a tapered mid-rib with decorative raised central grooves. 449 grams, 45 cm
Acquired from John Cummings, UK, in 1988. Ex Lord Alistair McAlpine collection.
This spear seems to have parallels to those found in the tombs of the 'sword bearers' of central-southern Europe, an aristocratic class of the Urn Fields civilisation who had its last period of splendour between 10th-9th centuries B.C. The weapons were deposited with various objects inside incineration graves, but the spears were often ritually damaged (see tomb 5 of the necropolis of Pontenuovo di Gazzo Veronese, broken into three parts). Our spear, in the upper part, seems to show traces of oxidation due to the fire of the funeral pyre, and probably came from a tomb. -
Luristan Bronze Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
The fan-shaped cheeks leading to a convex cutting edge; rounded butt and flat in section. 120 grams, 22 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
