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LOT 1197
Burmese Iron Single-Edged Sword with Scabbard
19TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER
35 7/8 in. (886 grams, 91 cm long).
Comprising a smooth, slightly curved and unornamented blade, the hilt wrapped with organic plaited and plain string; tubular bamboo(?) scabbard wrapped with plaited string. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Reeman Dansie, Colchester, Essex, UK.
LiteratureCf. similar specimen in the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, accession number 36.25.1437a,b.
FootnotesThe dha may have its origins with the Tai people who migrated to the area from present-day Yunnan Province in southern China. This sabre varied considerably according to locality but they shared some features that define them apart from other weapons and tools of the area, like the round cross-section grip, a long, gently curving blade with a single edge, and the absence of a guard.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Military Mask Helmet Section
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From the upper part of the right side of the face mask, the upper edge with a band of embossed curved lines, probably representing stylised hairs, intertwined with laurel crown; embossed image of advancing Mars, the god of war, to the centre, depicted nude with military sagum, a pseudo-Corinthian helmet to the head and carrying a circular shield. 55 grams, 17 cm wide
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
In the decorative patterns of Roman helmets, Mars was among the most revered deities in the Imperial army. After Jupiter, he was the most aristocratic god of the old Italic religion, master of armament, who governed military service (militiae potens) and oversaw the training ground, for which he was named Campester. The emperor Augustus named him Ultor (‘Avenger’) and dedicated to him a luxurious temple in the centre of the forum in gratitude for his victory over the murderers of Caesar and, in addition, granted to him the privileges of the Capitoline Jupiter. -
Roman Iron Plumbata Mamillata
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
The barbed head with tapering cylindrical stem and biconical lead weight. 85 grams, 15 cm
Ex J. Layne collection, 1990s.
The lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae, (or breasted javelin) were short darts mounted upon a shaft, of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 meters by trained soldiers. -
Ummayad Bronze Spearhead
7th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £133
Formed with a broadly triangular blade, narrow neck and tapering round-section socket. 245 grams, 34 cm
Ex old English collection. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
The basic Arabic term for a spear or lance, whether used by cavalry or infantry, was rumh. In the 7th century it normally would have been ten or twelve cubits long, i.e. four and a half metres.