Loading, please wait...
LOT 1455
Iron Age Celtic La Tene Ritually Bent Sword
CIRCA 450 B.C.-50 A.D.
16 in. (620 grams total, 40.6 cm).
An iron long sword of Stead's Type III with two-edged, parallel-sided flat-section blade, rounded shoulders, long lenticular-section tang.
ProvenanceAcquired on the German art market.
Private collection, Germany.
Kept in the UK from 2016.
See Stead, I.M., British Iron Age Swords and Scabbards, London, 2006, for discussion.
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.
-
Western Asiatic Polished Stone Macehead
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With slightly carinated equator to the globular body and tubular shaft. 456 grams, 90 mm
From the collection of North West London, UK, gentleman, early 2000s. -
Western Asiatic Polished Stone Macehead
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform in profile with drilled socket expanding towards the narrower end. 404 grams, 76 mm
From the collection of North West London, UK, gentleman, early 2000s. -
Greek Iron Lancehead
Magna Graecia, 6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Blade widened at the base, ribbed, conical socket with wooden remains. 277 grams total, 43 cm including stand (lance 25.8 cm)
From the famous arms and armour collection of Axel Guttmann (1944-2001), Berlin, Germany. Ex Hermann Historica, Munich, Germany, 4 May 2011, no.1783 (lot). From a private specialist collection, London, UK. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Hermann Historica catalogue pages.
The spear finds an almost identical parallel in two spearheads from Lavello, found associated with a Corinthian helmet and a sword, as part of Burial objects, dating back to around the middle of the 6th century BC. This type of hoplite weaponry was used by individual warriors, who, in Daunia (South Italic Apulia), while adopting Greek models, fought on horseback, according to a fighting style centred on the heroic duel between leaders.
