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LOT 1137
Medieval Iron Crossbow Bolt Group
CIRCA 12TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 - 4 5/8 in. (682 grams total, 4.6-11.7 cm).
Mainly comprising socketted bolts with tapering and facetted square-section tips. [20]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Michalak, A., Arma confinii, przemiany późnośredniowiecznej broni na rubieżach Śląska, Wielkopolski, Branderburgii i Łużyc (Arma confinii, transformations of late medieval weapons on the borders of Silesia, Wielkopolska, Brandenburg and Lusatia, in Polish), Zielona Gora, 2019, pls.92-128, for similar projectiles.
FootnotesIn medieval warfare crossbows were of great importance, used especially by infantry. An improvement of their effectiveness by inceasing the weight of projectiles as well the strength of the bow caused a clear evolution of body defences between 13th and 15th centuries A.D.
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Australian Aboriginal Throwing Club
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
The round-section shaft with one tapered end and a pointed, bulbous head. 435 grams, 69 cm
Acquired UK market. Property of a Kent collector.
Used for hunting and in warfare. Possibly engraved using a possum tooth. -
Roman Iron Gladius
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £1,300 - 1,600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £722
Or semi-spatha blade with parallel-sided lentoid-section body and a long rectangular-section tang; Mainz type, Wederath-Canterbury-Kopki variant; repaired and surface treated. 557 grams, 83 cm
Ex South London collection, acquired 1970-1990. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
In contrast to the average length of the Roman Pompeii type gladius, some Roman swords, continuing the typology of the Mainz gladius, tend to be longer and transform themselves into a semi-spatha. Both the weapon from Eich (Miks, 2001, AI43), and especially a gladius from Korytnica with approximate blade length of 548mm (total length 762mm) is very close to the length limit of a semi-spatha. The same can be said of a blade from Godmanchester (Miks, 2001, no.A824) for its dimensions and proportions, where the tip of the blade already gives a significantly shorter impression, showing a certain relationship to 'Lauriacum-Hrornöwka', 'Mainz-Canterbury' variant type spathae. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
12th-10th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Comprising six tanged arrowheads, all with large elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft; three with barbed shoulders and convex or squared sides, two lanceolate with slightly rounded shoulders, one elongated triangular type. 105 grams total, 6.9-11.7 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
These arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory types A, B, C and D according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders and D with round shoulders.
