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LOT 1493
Late Roman Iron Axehead
4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
2 7/8 in. (97 grams, 73 mm).
Small type with broad curved cutting edge, round socket in a triangular frame; narrow neck. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze Macehead
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising a cylindrical shaft with flared mouth, rounded flanges around the swollen head, horizontal stepped bands; Sara Gorz type. 416 grams, 98 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Medieval Knight's Iron Hand-and-a-Half Sword with Inscribed Bronze Pommel
Germany, 14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £14,300
Longsword of Oakeshott's Type XVa, cross style 8, bronze pommel style J (recessed); strongly tapering, pointed blade of ‘flattened diamond’ section, cross style tapering gradually outward to sharply downturned tips; long grip with slight taper, disc pommel with chamfered edges and a potent cross in the centre surrounded by an inscription (on both sides) '+ IH SU + AAWM'. 1.25 kg, 113 cm
From the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century. 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.13034-24799.
Some wheel pommels of this date have engraved, or inset roundels with armorial or devotional emblems, and a number of sword blades of this date bear religious inscriptions in the form of a prayer. The inscription on the pommel between the two potent crosses is intriguing. The letters 'IH SU' are a clear reference to the name of the Saviour, and can be translated as Ihesu-Jesus, or also Ihesu Merci (Jesus have mercy), a simple prayer for the person carrying the sword. The letters 'A.A. W.M.' could refer to the name of the owner of the sword (WM = Wilhelm) or the maker of the weapon. It is difficult to consider the letters as an abbreviation of the prayer ‘Ave Maria’, usually shortened in the German medieval inscriptions as A.M. -
Luristan Bronze Macehead
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £293
Of cylindrical shape, the upper section with alternating rectangular panels framed by pseudo-rope design and vertical rows of three prominent spikes, a short cylindrical shaft edged at top and bottom. 190 grams, 15.6 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
This weapon has been used in different ways, and it was probably considered the main tool in the Kassite civilisation because of the high number of maces found in this area. Bronze maces in Luristan possibly had wooden handles, although most of them unfortunately, have been eroded and severely deteriorated. According to Khorasani, such maces were realised with the lost-wax process.
