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_900x900.jpg "Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger")
_200x200.jpg "Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger")
.jpg "Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger")
LOT 1097
Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger
LATE 15TH CENTURY A.D.
18 1/8 in. (307 grams, 46 cm).
Featuring a wedge-shaped blade and a lobed handle; the hilt fitted with an iron plate bending down to form points on each side of the blade, pommel with a discoid brass plate decorated with an incised flower motif.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Tarassuk, L. & Blair, C., Complete Encyclopaedia of Arms & Weapons, London, 1982, p.156, item 5, for a late 15th century version of the type.
FootnotesThe term 'ballock dagger' was used in medieval times to describe a dagger with a grip bearing a considerable resemblance to a phallic symbol. It was also called 'kidney dagger' during the Victorian times. The constant characteristic is the presence of two roundish and symmetrical bulbs at the guard, with the grip itself emerging upward between them and flaring slightly towards the top, sometimes being surmounted by a cap.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Group
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising four large triangular-shaped arrowheads, each with a raised midrib. 129 grams total, 14-15.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Although different in shape, these four heads are apparently related types of a polythetic group. There are represented two basic deltoid forms: one has a sharp, flat blade, the ends of which extend to form wings or barbs, and a prominent midrib extending into a long tang that often has a stop; the blade shape varies from deltoid to more manifestly triangular. The other form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, it is narrow and leaf shaped. -
Officer's Presentation Sword with Islamic Script
Circa 1798 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
British infantry officer's sword - 1796 pattern with lion-head pommel and knuckle-guard, short curved quillon to the rear; leather scabbard with brass fittings and escutcheon below the frog with the legend 'R. Johnston / late / Bland & Foster / Sword Cutler / & Belt Maker to his / Majesty / -68- / St. James's St/ London'; guilloche detailing to the border and to the langets; hollow-ground blade with inlaid brass Arabic script to both faces, possibly a trophy from the Battle of the Nile in August, 1798. 1.23 kg, 95 cm total
From a Suffolk, UK, private collection.
Richard Johnston took over the sword- and belt-making business from John Bland, who died in 1791, and his surviving partner, Robert Foster, who died in 1798. After Bland's death, Foster and Johnston moved their premises from 70 St. James's Street to number 68 in the same street, and continued the business until Foster's death in 1798, after which Johnston took on another shop, then displaying the address as '38 & 68 St. James's Street'. The cartouche gives the address as '68 St. James's Street', which shows that the sword was produced, finished and sold in 1798. -
Iron Age Celtic La Tene Dagger
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Featuring a gently curved single-edged iron blade and one-sided fuller, curved handle with knot pommel; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 525 grams total, 35 cm high including stand
Dutch art market. Private collection of K.S., Cologne, Germany, acquired 1996.
One of the military insignia of a Celtic warrior was the war-knife, usually between 33 and 35 cm long. For example, in the collection of Celtic military equipment from Galish-Lovachka, the archaeologists have found a short sword with an X-shaped handle (l = 41 cm), two middle La Tène swords (72.5 and 75 cm long), 12 large curved knives, 27 spearheads, two javelin heads, 14 arrowheads, and nine iron chain belts for hanging a sword. The war-knife was also used for hunting, as a spare weapon, or to cut the throat of an enemy in a surprise attack.
