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LOT 0248
Iron Age Celtiberian Dagger
CIRCA 6TH-5TH CENTURY B.C. OR LATER
12 1/4 in. (255 grams, 31 cm).
Featuring a leaf-shaped double-edged iron blade, shallow fullers tapering to a point, short straight quillons, a soldered two-part grip with ridged middle bulge, the flat pommel surmounted with two spherical finials.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Nieva, I.F., Zubillaga, E.G., 'Las armas de las necropolis Celtibericas de Carasta y La Hoya (Alava, Espana), Tipologia de sus punales y prototipos del Pugio' in Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies, 8, 1997, pp.137-150, fig.5, 2; Quesada Sanz, F., ‘Gladius Hispaniensis: an archaeological view from Iberia’ in Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies, JRMES, 8, 1997, pp.251-270.
FootnotesThis type of dagger presents a plate handle system, very similar to that of the Fronton sword and bilobular types, but unlike these, it develops to an antenna terminal on the pommel. It is a type of dagger that is documented in peninsular necropoleis of Hispania from the Iron Age II, such as La Mercadera, Requijana de Gormaz or Uxama. It is type V of short antennae daggers according the classification of F. Quesada Sanz, a possible ancestor of the Roman pugio.
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Byzantine Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Trivoloi Group
11th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Comprising three caltrops, hand-forged with square-section in the form of four welded arrowheads. 34 grams total, 50 mm each
Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Caltrops were a kind of 'landmine' of the ancient world an mentioned in the Classical period. Nevertheless, they turned into real military weapons only in Dark Ages. Their systematic and wide use by the Eastern Romans, who called it tribolos, is noticeable. In 1082, Emperor Alexios Komnenos used caltrops against the Norman cavalry in the Balkans. Anna Komnena tells us in detail of her father’s intentions: ‘He marched against Bohemond with a new idea for victory. He had iron caltrops made and since he expected the battle to take place on the next day, the evening before scattered them over the plain between the two armies at the point where he guessed that the Kelts (the Normans) would make a heavy cavalry attack. The plan was to frustrate the first and irresistible charge when the caltrops pierced the horses’ hooves.’ Unfortunately for the Romans the Normans avoided battle on the ‘minefield’, outflanked the enemy and gained victory. -
North-Western Bronze Short Sword
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
Featuring a prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso of the blade and partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 346 grams, 43.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately, and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. -
Roman Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop
3rd-4th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £195
Composed of four arms tipped with triangular spikes. 29 grams, 86 mm
Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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. Caesar used widely them at Alesia (Caes., BG 7.73; 82): 'Stakes a foot long, with iron hooks attached to them, were entirely sunk in the ground before these, and were planted in every place at small intervals; these they called spurs'.
