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LOT 1161
Large Viking Iron Socketted Spearhead
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
17 1/8 in. (1.76 kg total, 43.5 cm including stand).
Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with lozenge cross-section, raised midrib, closed tubular socket; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
Cf. similar specimen in the British Museum, London, from Norway, inventory no.1875,0716.3.
FootnotesThe spear belongs to the type A of the first main group of Viking spears, the so-called Frankish spearheads, which occur between 750 and 950 A.D., but mainly in the 8th and 9th centuries. The Mediterranean influence is still evident on the foliate shape of the blade.
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AUCTIONS:
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Greek Bronze Illyrian Helmet
6th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £8,333
Of domed Illyrian typology IIIA, variant 3, raised from a single sheet with protective cheek-pieces, two parallel corrugated raised ridges to the upper face, running over the crown from front to back, square-cut frontal opening with smooth edges, short curved rear flange developing from behind towards the forward curving cheek-protectors, the latter having two holes at the extremities for the fastening of a chin-strap; button pin at the centre of the back for attachment of a crest, pierced hole in the front for the corresponding pin. 2.7 kg total, 31 cm high including stand
Ex Mr G. Grimm collection. Acquired from a French auction house. Ex important London gallery. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. 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.10194-167379.
This helmet was probably fitted with a high crest, attached with animal glue and composed of horsehair. It was positioned inside a holder worn between the raised ridges and fastened to the front and back pins, one of them still visible. The recent finds of Illyrian helmets without reinforced edges have suggested that the variants of this typology of helmet could have evolved as their own group, during the late period of its employment (from mid 6th to 4th century B.C.). The earlier specimens have been found in Olympia and Trebeniste (North Macedonia), although the neck protection of these helmets was still in the style of archaic Illyrian types. The helmets from Sindos introduced the characteristics of such late evolution. The diffusion of this typology shows that it was preferred by Macedonian warriors, by the Illyrian fighters and by the Greeks in Sicily and Peloponnesos, considering that the finds are concentrated in the corresponding areas. -
Viking Age Iron Axehead
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Composed of a sub-circular socket, lozengiform flanges above and below, rectangular hammer-style butt and axe head with straight upper and curved lower edge, convex cutting edge. 729 grams, 17.8 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
Composed of tanged arrowheads of leaf-shaped and barbed types, most with midribs. 182 grams total, 6.4-12 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector.
