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LOT 1049
Large Medieval Iron Axehead
15TH CENTURY A.D.
13 1/4 in. (2.3 kg, 33.5 cm).
A substantial hand-forged iron axe with D-section socket and broad offset blade, fixed with three nails to the iron handle. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
See Glosek, M., Późnośredniowieczna broń obuchowa w zbiorach polskich (Late medieval blunt weapons in Polish collections), Warszawa-Łódź, 1996, pl.XXXI, lett.C.
FootnotesThe axe corresponds to the type XII of the Glosek classification. The type is known from Poland and Sweden. However, very often these axes were found without context, and generally classified as 15th century A.D. While the axes from Sweden are regarded as weapons, and dated 14th century A.D., the long and thickened back of the axe is rather characteristic of a butcher's axe, or of an executioner's axe.
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Luristan Dirk with Cuneiform Inscription
1125-1104 B.C.Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £4,000
A bronze dirk or dagger with raised flanges to the grip, possibly to accept organic inserts, cuneiform script over two lines inscribed to the blade below the grip on both faces; blade repaired. 188 grams, 40 cm
with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11591-199676.
This is a dagger with an inscription of King Nebuchadnezzar I of Babylon, 1125-1104 B.C. The inscription is identical to those on four other bronze daggers (reportedly from Luristan), three of which are in the Foroughi collection and one in the Iran Bastan museum (National Museum of Iran, inventory no.626/1626). The Type IIIa bronze dirk of the Medveskaya classification belongs to a series of weapons bearing the same engraved inscription in Babylonian cuneiform script which reads: 'It belongs to Nabu, the King of Kiohatti, the King of Babylon, King of Sumer and Akkad'. It was cast in one piece (hilt and blade) and probably formed an endowment to the royal guard. -
Volga-Bulgar Archer's Arm Guard
Circa 10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
An oval silver plate decorated with an intertwined design formed of flowers inside a double circle framed by a wavy design; pierced to the sides for fastening. 20.2 grams, 90 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
Decorated bow string protection plates were developed by Steppe people and widespread among the Volga-Bulgarian warriors, often decorated with niello. These protective plates were fastened with straps on the wrist to protect the lower arm from the blows of the bow tendons. In addition to the bone plaques used by the Khazars, precious silver specimens from the territory of the Volga Bulgars have been preserved, including finds from Zauralia and Western Siberia. A protective plaque decorated with mythological scenes also comes from Bilär (11th-12th century A.D.) Similar plaques with simpler decorations have been found in the region of Prikamye (10th-14th century A.D.). -
Viking Period Bearded Type Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
An iron axehead with broad curved blade and spur to the chin, narrow neck, deep socket with lateral spurs and extended plate to the reverse. 777 grams, 20 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade, sometimes perforated through the centre. They are characterised by two projecting spurs to the back of the shaft-hole.
