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LOT 1118
Medieval Iron Arrowhead Group
12TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
1 5/8 - 3 1/2 in. (66 grams total, 41-88 mm).
Comprising tanged arrowheads of various types, including leaf-shaped, lozengiform, triangular and leaf-shaped examples, together with others. [8, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the German art market, before 2000.
Ex German collection.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
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Byzantine Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Trivoloi Group
11th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Comprising three caltrops, hand-forged with square-section in the form of four welded arrowheads. 34 grams total, 50 mm each
Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Caltrops were a kind of 'landmine' of the ancient world an mentioned in the Classical period. Nevertheless, they turned into real military weapons only in Dark Ages. Their systematic and wide use by the Eastern Romans, who called it tribolos, is noticeable. In 1082, Emperor Alexios Komnenos used caltrops against the Norman cavalry in the Balkans. Anna Komnena tells us in detail of her father’s intentions: ‘He marched against Bohemond with a new idea for victory. He had iron caltrops made and since he expected the battle to take place on the next day, the evening before scattered them over the plain between the two armies at the point where he guessed that the Kelts (the Normans) would make a heavy cavalry attack. The plan was to frustrate the first and irresistible charge when the caltrops pierced the horses’ hooves.’ Unfortunately for the Romans the Normans avoided battle on the ‘minefield’, outflanked the enemy and gained victory. -
Western Asiatic Copper Flat Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Curved cutting edge and tongue-shaped mounting blade to the rear. 180 grams, 18.1 cm
English collection, 1990s. Ex North London gallery. -
Iron Age Celtiberian Dagger
Circa 6th-5th century B.C. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
Featuring a leaf-shaped double-edged iron blade, shallow fullers tapering to a point, short straight quillons, a soldered two-part grip with ridged middle bulge, the flat pommel surmounted with two spherical finials. 255 grams, 31 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
This type of dagger presents a plate handle system, very similar to that of the Fronton sword and bilobular types, but unlike these, it develops to an antenna terminal on the pommel. It is a type of dagger that is documented in peninsular necropoleis of Hispania from the Iron Age II, such as La Mercadera, Requijana de Gormaz or Uxama. It is type V of short antennae daggers according the classification of F. Quesada Sanz, a possible ancestor of the Roman pugio.
