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LOT 1873
Medieval Iron Knife with Bronze Pommel
CIRCA 1500 A.D.
7 3/8 in. (23 grams, 18.7 cm).
Comprising a single cutting edge and scale tang, bifacial pommel incised with a female figure possibly holding an arrow to one face and what is apparently a mythical beast or other animal to the other.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Marquardt, K., Eight Centuries of European Knives, Forks and Spoons: an Art Collection, Europe, 1997, pp.29-31, for similar.
FootnotesExamining the medieval miniatures, the knives were diagonally suspended, but the vertical suspension was the most common method in all periods. With the contrivance of an additional inner scabbard it was possible to carry more than one knife.
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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Medieval Gilt Bronze Lion Finial
14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Modelled in the half-round standing with head left on a plinth base, rectangular fixing socket to underside. 25.1 grams, 32 mm high
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection. Accompanied by photographs of the item on display in the Harwich museum. -
Medieval Silver Ring with Horse
15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With octagonal bezel, incised border enclosing a prancing horse with tendrils. 3.65 grams, 22.41 mm overall, 18.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)
Acquired on the European art market since the early 2000s. From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M. -
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Medieval Iron Single-Edged Dagger
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising a slender cutting edge and a long tang. 123 grams, 29.3 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
From the documentary evidence, the dagger was not a weapon in widespread use. In some sources, daggers are called handsets, presumably originating from the Anglo-Saxon scramasaxes, implying that they were a single-bladed knife rather than a dual-bladed dagger. It is unclear whether such daggers were primarily intended for military or civilian functions; although they may have been used in both, their primary uses were likely to be civilian.
