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LOT 1021
Late Roman Iron Socketted Javelin
4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
9 1/4 in. (213 grams, 23.5 cm).
Fitted with a triangular blade with two barbs, expanding tubular socket. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
LiteratureCf. Bemmann, G. & Bemmann, J., Der Opferplatz von Nydam, Die Funde aus der älteren Grabungen, Nydam I und Nydam II, Neumünster, 1998, no.1063, pl.116, for similar.
FootnotesSince the third century, Roman soldiers increasingly started to use long shafted socketed weapons with barbed heads. These weapons were called bebrae by Vegetius, according to whom they were able to cut heads with a single stroke. They first appeared in Northern Europe, as shown by numerous finds of barbed heads in graves and peat-bogs, especially Danish, and were introduced to the Roman army by Germanic mercenaries.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, raised vertical flanges to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 535 grams, 11.9 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Viking Age Iron Socketted Spearhead
10-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Type M with rhomboid blade with straight edges, ending in squared angles at the base and narrowing as it merges into the round cross-section socket. 313 grams, 40.7 cm
Ex private collection of Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s. Acquired from the above, 2004.
This type of spears account for half of the found Viking spears, together with types I,K,G,F. Differently from the previous types of Viking spearheads, side wings do not feature commonly in these typologies. A Viking spear of M type, dated at end of 11th century A.D., was found on the Drastar battlefield, showing a cross intermediary between the blade and the shaft. -
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Viking Age Iron Sword with Seven-Lobed Pommel
11th-13th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
Couronian sword of Petersen Type K with double-edged tapering blade and tapering fullers; bronze cross-guard extending at each end to serpent- or horse-heads, wheeled ornament to both faces; the lower guard with similar motifs; seven-lobed pommel with annulets and pellets. 1.02 kg, 86.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. 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 no.11925-209658.
Couronian swords of this type, with animal-head decoration on the lower guard, were widespread and used in the Eastern Baltic lands from the 10th to 13th century. Such zoomorphic detailing was a clear influence from Germanic art. Regular geometric ornamentation, derived from Romanesque art, was also widespread, with one of the most common ornaments being a cross-in-circle.
