Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1061

Massive Viking Age Finno-Ugrian Spearhead

CIRCA 12TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.

16 5/8 in. (388 grams, 42.2 cm).

Comprising a leaf-shaped blade and long tubular socket. [No Reserve]

Provenance

UK collection since the 1990s.
Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.

Literature

Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.XI no.11, for comparable example.

Footnotes

The more common weapons of Finno-Ugrian people were axes commonly found from all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Among Baltic-Finnic people, especially in Finland and Karelia, knives called 'puukko' were common, as well as axes, spears, flat bows and long bows, while swords were usually imported from Germanic areas, Sweden or from elsewhere Scandinavia, some having often typically Scandinavian animal ornaments, although there are some Finnish made finds too.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1061

Massive Viking Age Finno-Ugrian Spearhead

Sold for (Inc. bp): £169

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hooks
    Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hooks
    1st century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £221

    Each a scrolled bar with gently carinated upper face, formed as serpents or other animals with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to one terminal. 16.5 grams total, 65 mm each



    Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.

    In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Bronze Dirk
    Luristan Bronze Dirk
    Circa 1000 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £234

    Cast in one piece, with narrow blade having almost parallel edges, flanged hilt with narrow grip widening slightly towards the ricasso, decorated from five parallel grooves, and running smoothly into the blade. 188 grams, 33 cm



    Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.

    The dirk belongs to the type III in the Medvedskaya classification, but with a smallest hand guard at the base. The dating of type III to the 12th century B.C., suggested by Medvedskaya and confirmed by Khorasani, was based on the series of dirks with an inscription of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar I and of the name of Marduk Nadin Ahhe on similar types of daggers.

    Lot Details

  • Medieval Iron Spur Group
    Medieval Iron Spur Group
    13th-15th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £78

    Comprising: one rowel spur with tapering D-section heelband, short shank and arched rowel box with articulated eight-armed rowel, attachment buckle with tongue suspended from integral loop on one arm, two lobed plaques with loops on reverse suspended from integral loops on the other; a spur with D-section heelband and lentoid-section shank, rectangular and quatrefoil openwork, sections of hatching and raised designs to the outer faces. 215 grams total, 16-18 cm



    European collection, 1990s. Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list