Large Medieval Iron Axehead

A bronze cheek-piece element in the form of a righthand side bar, surmounted by two loops for additional straps, ending in a lion's head at the front, the other extremity bending outwards and ending with a conical tip, remains of the iron bar visible on the sides; once belonging to an articulate bit. 130 grams, 13.5 cm wide

Fine condition.

Acquired mid 1980s to early 1990s. Private family collection formed in London, UK.

The association of Psalia in the shape of a bar and with an articulated bit is documented in Assyria, in Media and in central Iran starting from the 10th century B.C., but the zoomorphic elements of this specimen suggest that it was produced in Luristan. The use of articulated bits, which moved inside the horse's mouth, exerting a minimal pressure on the reins, allowed for better control of the mount.

An iron broad axehead of asymmetrical profile with reinforced curved cutting edge, triangular-section socket with flanking spurs to upper and lower edges. 387 grams, 15.7 cm



Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.

The broad axe of type M is a weapon specifically designed as battle-axe with the edge, being Þunssleginn, i.e. thinly forged. These broad axes were the prerogative of the housecarls of the Anglo-Danish King Canute, of the guardsmen fighting with Harold at Stamford Bridge and Hastings in 1066 A.D. and of the famous Varangian Guard of the Roman emperors of Constantinople.

A bronze 'pot' helmet with rounded bowl and flared rim; three sets of paired piercings for attachment of leather cheek-flaps; cracked; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.7 kg, 30.5 cm wide

Bowl pierced and cracked.

Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private Swiss collection since 1998. 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 searcher certificate no.11573-199009.

The ‘pot’ or ‘bell’ helmet, found as early as in an 8th century coffer grave (ad arca) from the Esquiline (Rome) and other graves (Coussin, 1926, p.88, fig.23; Sekunda, Northwood,1995, p.6, grave 94) was made from a single piece of bronze, while later Italic variants were fashioned from jointed plates (Connolly, 1981, p.102, figs.2-2a; Egg, 1988, p.223, variant Vetulonia). The skull was somewhat spherical and with a flared rim: this in some Etruscan and Italic specimens, was rivetted for strength (Egg, 1988, fig.18, p.240, from Picenum, and Murlo and Trestina variants, p.232, fig.10 and p.234, fig.12; Connolly, 2006, p.102, figs.2-2a, from Sesto Calende). The smooth surface of these types of helmets was intended to deflect blows. The ‘calotte’ helmets (Egg, 1988, pl.57) from Rome, as the helmet here, appear to be variants of a similar helmet from Montegiorgio Piceno and from Montelparo (ex Zschille collection). Some of them, like the helmet found in the necropolis of Tolentinum, were decorated with rich engravings. These practical helmets were probably furnished with a leather chinstrap, even though a similar Galea, found in the Tomba del Duce at Vetulonia, (Fossati, 1987, p.50; Egg, 1988, pp.223-224, fig.3, p.231, fig.12) dated to the first half of the 7th century B.C., still had the remains of what was probably a bronze cheek-piece.