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LOT 0311
Iron Executioner's Axehead
CIRCA 16TH-17TH CENTURY A.D.
13 in. (2.8 kg, 33 cm high).
With substantial D-section socket and flange to the rear at the mouth; trapezoidal blade offset to one side, with punched cross crosslet motifs to one face. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
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:
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Roman Iron 'Hipposandalus' Military Horseshoe
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
Iron shoe with lateral curved plates and vertical bar to the front, rear panel with hooked spur for attachment. 350 grams, 16.5 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Hipposandals (soleae ferreae) were used on horses with injured hooves, a sort of equine orthopaedic shoe used by the mulomedicus, i.e. a Roman military veterinarian. Another important function was that to protect the hooves of the horse from injuries and damages from hard objects. The hipposandal of type 1 was formed from a sub-oval plate which tapered towards the front and rear with projections at the front, back and on either side. The heel was upturned at about 45 degrees and flared outwards. It would have terminated with a downward facing hook, now missing. The base of the sole was flat. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Group
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising fifteen tanged examples, including one slender arrowhead in iron. 112 grams total, 44-75 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Margiana Bronze Axehead
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £140
With a narrow neck and rounded bill-shaped blade, rounded wings to the socket and square-headed stud behind. 289 grams, 18.3 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1988.
These categories of axes were of Oriental production, coming from the territories of Bactria and Margiana, occasionally imported in Elam and Luristan. The anthropomorphic and zoomorphic patterns are sometimes visible, as well as the button at the back of the heel (very common) are related to examples of Luristan, but the style differs markedly.
