Indian Inscribed Ceremonial Brass Dart

Finely curved broad blade with chin to the lower edge, rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions and a rectangular extension to the rear; professionally cleaned, conserved, and restored. 730 grams, 21 cm



From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.

This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the E2 category of the Viking axe classification, but also has affinity with the Slavic axe-type Y. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such a 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter.

Two-edged leaf-shaped dagger blade with flat rectangular tang, flared at the shoulders. 133 grams, 25.2 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

This was one of the earliest forms of Western Asiatic daggers, but until the blade was strengthened by thickening or by having a midrib at the centre, and rivets were introduced, it must have often buckled up on impact. However, when compared to the earliest Egyptian types with its short triangular blade, this Asiatic dagger is longer, narrower, and probably more useful as an offensive weapon.

Lentoid type with reserved legend 'AΓΑΟ[.]ΕΑ'. 45.3 grams, 35 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.