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LOT 1149
Medieval Iron Single-Edged Dagger
15TH-16TH CENTURY A.D.
12 3/8 in. (131 grams, 31.5 cm).
The blade with a tapering, triangular cross-section and tang with rivet holes; wedge-shaped domed pommel.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
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, pl.54, nos.9 and 12, for a similar single-edge dagger.
FootnotesThis is a weapon rather than a domestic knife, and is depicted as a sidearm for soldiers and knights alike in various iconography. This type of dagger was in use from the 14th to mid 16th century, and this example finds similarities with Hauswehrs used in the Eastern Europe during the 15th-16th century A.D.
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LOT 1149
Medieval Iron Single-Edged Dagger
Estimate £120 - 170€140 - 200 (for guidance only)$160 - 230 (for guidance only)
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Luristan Bronze Axehead
12th-11th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £40
With elliptical socket and slightly flaring cheeks with cutting edge. 939 grams, 17.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
The axe corresponds to the Maxwell-Hyslop Type 20A, similar to specimens from Ordu and purely Asiatic in inspiration. An axe from Giyan has a distinct shaft tube which is not present on the Ordu axe, but the shape of the blade is similar and it is probable that smiths travelling over the Eastern Anatolian and Persian trade routes were responsible for making these typologies of axes. -
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. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger
3rd millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Composed of a leaf-shaped blade, central slightly raised midrib, separately casted hilt with crescentic guard, rivet hole and lozenge-shaped grip. 147 grams, 26.5 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
Early bronze daggers from Luristan and Elam had separate casted hilt. Some scholars suggest that arsenic bronze was used in their production, and the handle was separately cast and rivetted to the hilt. Most scholars (Moorey, Mahboubian, Slotta, Vatandust, Khorasani) agree on a 3rd millennium B.C. dating based on the decoration of the hilt.
