Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

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]

Provenance

From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

CONDITION

VETTING:

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.

LOT 0311

Iron Executioner's Axehead

Sold for (Inc. bp): £910

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • The Farnham Castle English Medieval Socketted Macehead
    'The Farnham Castle' English Medieval Socketted Macehead
    13th-14th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,600

    With a long tubular socket and raised circumferential ribs, three tiers of radiating spikes; found with remains of wooden haft in situ. 312 grams, 80 mm



    Found near Farnham Castle, Farnham, Surrey, UK. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

    Maces were in use since the Bronze Age. In the Medieval Western Europe, maces are attested in England as throwing weapons at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. At the end of 12th century A.D., the mace head was made of metal and was, under the influence of Byzantium, one of the weapons of the armoured knight. Originally of round section and armed with strong pyramidal spikes, the mace head evolved into a cylindrical shape, sometimes reinforced with spikes, most often with flanges.

    Lot Details

  • Western Asiatic Bronze Flat Axe
    Western Asiatic Bronze Flat Axe
    4th millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £50

    Formed with a rounded butt and slightly flared cutting edge; flat in cross-section. 138 grams, 18.5 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

    This type of flat axes appeared in the last phase of the Late Chalcolithic Age. Flat axes without lugs were used as cutting tools or in war. In the later examples the sides of the blades was gradually widening towards the convex cutting edge.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £176

    Piriform body with thick ribs to the shoulder and impressed panels between, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 708 grams, 15 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

    Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list