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LOT 0267
Medieval Iron Single-Handed Sword
LATE 13TH-EARLY 14TH CENTURY A.D.
37 3/8 in. (1.39 kg, 95 cm).
Of Oakeshott Type XII or XIII with a double-edged, well-balanced tapering blade, shallow fullers and a parallel-sided straight lower guard of cross style 2; medium tang and disc pommel of type K with chamfered sides; the blade with later inlaid markings, one side with Passau wolf, the other side with cross within a circle; cleaned and conserved.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Oakeshott, E., The Sword in the Age of the Chivalry, Woodbridge, 1964 (1994); Oakeshott, E., Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge, 1991; Aleksić, M., Mediaeval Swords from Southeastern Europe, material from 12th to 15th century AD, Beograd, 2007.
FootnotesThe sword’s blade presents analogies with a sword of type XIIIa (Aleksic, 2007, pl.7,1) sharing the same type of pommel and the same length of the fuller. The sword, found in the Danube near the village Visnjica, is now in the City Museum, Belgrad, and presents a cross and a wolf impressed on the blade and inlaid with a yellow metal.
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Viking Age Iron Sword with Five-Lobed Pommel
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,940
Composed of a double-edged tapering blade of Petersen Type T variant, with a slightly rounded point, shallow fullers; boat-shaped cross guard with traces of vertical silver strips, narrow tang; boat-shaped upper guard supporting a five-lobed pommel with traces of silver inlay. 1.05 kg, 89.5 cm
The general blade structure is still homogenous, few delamination traces on the sides, some flaking along the pattern-welds, small corrosion damages along the edge; in general fine condition, an excellent weapon.
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11755-202775. -
Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hooks
Circa 1st century A.D.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £75
Each a scrolled bar formed as a serpent or other animal with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. 19.6 grams total, 64-66 mm
Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier. -
Byzantine Bronze Archer's Thumb Ring
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Comprising a tapering hoop and triangular plaque, three bands of incised ornament. 9.59 grams, 27.27 mm overall, 21.60 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X 1/2, USA 11 3/4, Europe 26.92, Japan 25)
Acquired by the vendor's father on the UK art market, before 1990.