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LOT 1025
Byzantine Bronze Archer's Thumb Ring
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (9.59 grams, 27.27 mm overall, 21.60 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X 1/2, USA 11 3/4, Europe 26.92, Japan 25)).
Comprising a tapering hoop and triangular plaque, three bands of incised ornament.
ProvenanceAcquired by the vendor's father on the UK art market, before 1990.
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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Medieval Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Group
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Comprising eight caltrops, hand-forged with square-section spikes. 250 grams total, 79-84 mm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
Caltrops were scattered on battlefields in an effort to stop or slow advancing enemy cavalry or foot soldiers; regardless of how a caltrop lands, one spike is always facing upwards. -
British Fairbairn-Sykes 'Beaded and Ringed' Commando Dagger in Scabbard
Circa 1942 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
By Rodgers, with finely shaped 15cm stiletto blade with traces of original black finish tapering to a steel oval guard and fitted with a brass 'beaded and ringed' shaped hilt secured by a copper pommel nut; the hilt bearing the War Department 'broad arrow' and '2' marks near to the guard; with the original leather scabbard fitted with brass rivets and chape, pierced for belt wear and with the side flaps for sewing cut away as commonly seen when belt worn; the dagger showing wear with minor chipping to the blade. 254 grams, 33 cm overall
Property of a Luton, UK gentleman, by inheritance.
In the autumn of 1942, the Rodgers firm produced what many consider to be the best of all the wartime Fairbairn-Sykes knives: the 'Beads and Ridges' model (or 'Beaded and Ringed'); so-called for its distinctive grip pattern to the brass hilt of single rings of tiny beads, interspersed between sections of four to seven plain rings. The blade is delicate and uniform, and the weapon, though light, is well balanced. The blade finish was black (as this example) or nickel. All of this type are considered to be at least scarce. According to both Fredrick Stephens and Leroy Thompson the type was a commercial variant for private purchase; however, there are some rare cases of this type which were officially issued with the War Department broad arrow and number marks, as with this example. -
Luristan Bronze Dirk
Circa 1000 B.C.Estimate: £400 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £139
Composed of a leaf-shaped blade with a raised penannular rib and slot below the shoulder connected to the grip with lateral flanges and integral pommel, recessed to accept an organic insert. 264 grams, 37.5 cm
From an old English collection, formed in the 1980s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
This dirk, cast in one piece mould, belongs to the daggers that Medvedskaya believes support the thesis that majority of them were cast in one piece. However, there are examples where the penannular grip was cast on later on the dagger or dirk.
