Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1244
Finno-Ugrian Iron Bearded Axehead
11TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
6 3/8 in. (616 grams, 16.3 cm).
Triangular in plan with D-shaped socket, square butt, scooped lower profile and curved edge. [No Reserve]
Provenance
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Literature
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXII, item 14.
Footnotes
The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade, often perforated through the centre.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Viking Age Bronze Pendant Collection
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising: a lunar pendant with segmented bar and suspension loop; a discoid plaque likely portraying Odin gripping ravens; pendant with domed body and vegetal motif, suspension loop above; a trapezoidal pendant with suspension loop, displaying an animal mask in relief featuring long, curled whiskers extending the height of the plaque. 18 grams total, 19-25 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Viking Age Silver Gripping Beasts Pendant
10th century A.D.Estimate: £1,800 - 2,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Composed of an openwork discoid body with integral T-shaped tubular loop; raised gusseted rim enclosing a pair of S-shaped beasts with billetted bodies and comma-shaped tails, enmeshed gripping paws clutching the rim and their own bodies. 12.4 grams, 43 mm
Acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Ex property of a German gentleman.
Despite the long period of overlap of Borre and Jellinge art styles, there are only few examples of their fusion. The principal and most popular motif of the Borre style displays an animal with gripping paws, usually enmeshed in a circular frame, while a typical Jellinge style beast is more slender with long, S-shaped body and ribbon decoration. The most famous example of a pendant featuring a fusion of these styles was found in a hoard from Vårby (Sweden), formed as a circle with a pair of Jellinge-style beasts with ribbon-shaped bodies in profile and heads with open jaws and extended tongues; however, each is provided with gripping paws and an enmeshed body, which are typical features of the Borre style. A few examples of these pendants were also found near the important trading settlement of Gnezdovo, near Smolensk, Russia. -
Viking Age Bronze Tortoise Brooch
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Composed of an elliptical domed body decorated with a transverse band of ribbed decoration featuring four facing masks with pellet eyes; the outer fields with zoomorphic tendril designs edged by a ropework border; geometric motif to the flange; transverse bar and remains of some fitting elements to reverse. 71 grams, 93 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.