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LOT 1487
Large Viking Period Iron Socketted Spearhead
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
15 in. (538 grams, 37.9 cm).
Leaf-shaped blade with circular tapering socket, short neck, pierced to accept a fixing pin; with remains of the wooden shaft in the socket. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market circa 2005.
From an old North Country, UK, collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
With triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge and square chin, flared socket. 677 grams, 19 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade, often perforated through the centre. -
Western Asiatic Stone Macehead
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform with vertical socket expanding towards the narrower end. 550 grams, 82 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Viking Age Iron Long Bearded Axehead
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £936
Finely curved broad blade with chin to the lower edge, rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions and a rectangular extension to the rear; restored and conserved. 648 grams, 20 cm
From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the E2 category of the Viking axe classification, but also has affinity with the Slavic type of axes Y. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such a 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter.
