Loading, please wait...
LOT 0305
Byzantine Iron Spathion Sword
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
31 7/8 in. (698 grams, 81cm).
An Eastern Roman spathion with long, double-edged parallel blade, a tapering, medium length tang, retaining possible remains of the fabrica mark in the middle, near the rivet hole for the handle. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970-1980.
From the collection of a Surrey gentleman.
See Popov, S., 'Four Swords from the National Archaeological Museum in Sofia' in Lazarenko, I., Acta Musei Varnaensis X, 1–2, Varna, 2018, pp.137-142.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
.jpg)
Khazar Iron Sabre with Gilt Bronze Cross Guard
9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
A single-edged hand-forged sabre with a gently curving blade, an iron band welded beneath the cross guard, together with a tongue along the side of the blade; the separate gilt cross guard with spherical ornamented finials to the quillons, the central panel with a stylised face flanked by a pair of leaping lions biting the top of the head, the other side with a lozenge within a ropework frame. 610 grams, 80.5 cm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.114437-196034.
This exceptional sabre shows similarity with examples from the Caucasus and Kuban regions. The blade could be Khazar-Magyar, and certainly its best parallels are the specimens from Verchne-Szaltovo area. According to M. Gorelik, some of these sabres were produced by the Kabarians, a breakaway tribe from the Khazar State, who formed an alliance with the Magyars. The extra band welded beneath the quillons, together with the side tongue, not only protected the scabbard from being cut by the blade but, more importantly, defended the warrior’s fingers which were wrapped around the quillons when fighting. -
Luristan Bronze Socketted Adze
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With short tubular socket and flared cutting edge perpendicular to the socket. 590 grams, 14.5 cm
From an old English collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex gentleman; acquired on the UK art market. -
North-West Persian Bronze Short Sword with Integral Grip and Horns
Circa 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
With curved 'horns' projecting on either side at the top of waisted grip, blade with flat mid-rib. 242 grams, 41.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luristani people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 B.C. According to Khorasani, 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150-1050 BC.'
