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LOT 1462
Bactrian Bronze Claw Axehead
3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
5 1/4 in. (148 grams, 13.2 cm).
Egg-shaped with spiked prongs to the socket, narrow rounded cutting edge.
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
FootnotesThe 'claw mace' was an enigmatic ancient bronze weapon from the Bronze Age Near East. The hollow bulbous head was trailed by tines of varying lengths. It is believed that it was affixed over a wooden shaft and used like a club in combat, and not necessarily used as ceremonial weapon. The knife-edge bulb end could have broken bones and proven to be a formidable striking weapon requiring no skill to wield. The tines would have not only been decorative, but have served to add strength below the striking end to prevent breakage. In battle, maces were often used by commanders to display rank when giving orders in battle and leading soldiers, inspiring leadership and power. Egg-shaped with spiked sleeves or prongs, the top of the weapon with a narrow edge, the sleeves with small internal tangs for mounting.
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AUCTIONS:
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Viking T-Bar Iron Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
With broad edge, slender neck, round flared socket with lateral wings to each face and extension on the rear. 388 grams, 15 cm
Ex North American private collection, 1970s. -
Royal Hampshire Volunteers Silver-Plated Button
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Silver-plated military button bearing the legend 'ROYAL HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS' around a crown; loop to reverse. 2.18 grams, 17 mm
Found Waltham St. Lawrence, Windsor and Maidenhead, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.BERK-0A5A9A.
From the PAS Report: 'Similar recorded examples have 'I. Nutting' backmark (without '& Son') which indicates a manufacture date of c.1794-1802 ('& Son' being added in 1803, dropped again c1820 when the father died).' The story of the unit is difficult to determine. 'The Volunteer & Militia lists for 1794,1796, 1797, 1799, 1800 & 1801 have all been checked and no unit of this title is listed. Also the Parliamentary Return for December 9th & 13th, 1803 which lists many units that didn't make it into the April 1804 War Office List have been searched, again no such unit is listed. There were a few infantry volunteer regiments raised c1780-1783 as so many of the regular regiments were fighting in the War of American Independence, 'Royal Lancasters Volunteers' was one such that is listed, but there is no mention of one for Hampshire.' -
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An iron long sword of Stead's Type II with two-edged, parallel-sided flat-section blade, rounded shoulders, long lenticular-section tang with knop finial. 760 grams total, 40 cm
Acquired on the German art market. Private collection, Germany. Kept in the UK from 2016.
