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LOT 1047
Medieval Iron Spear Group
CIRCA 15TH CENTURY A.D.
10 7/8 - 13 3/4 in. (480 grams total, 27.5-35 cm).
With conical sockets, one with foliate head, the other with long triangular head. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection, 1990s.
Acquired from a provincial auction.
Cf. Gilliot, C., Weapons and Armours, Bayeux, 2008, p,173, for similar.
FootnotesThe spear was one of the many weapons of infantrymen and peasants during the Middle Ages. Götz von Berlichingen, who in 15th century A.D. was appointed as the leader of the peasants revolting against the noblemen, was recorded saying that ‘I beheld myself, suddenly encompassed with muskets, spears, and halberds, pointed at me. They cried that I should be their captain, in whether I would or not’.
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Luristan Bronze Dagger
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £160
Comprising a narrow double-edged blade, triangular in profile with raised midrib, rectangular guard with flanges, rectangular grip with lateral flanges to accept an organic grip, curved integral finial. 312 grams, 43 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
This weapon is typical of the cemeteries dating to the local Late Bronze Age (1300-1000 B.C.). The blade is still triangular but the crescentic pommel is reduced and flanged to be filled with organic material such as bone or wood. -
Luristan Bronze Sword Blade
1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Comprising a narrow leaf-shaped blade with midrib and lateral channels, rounded shoulders, short tang with attachment hole. 445 grams, 45.5 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, formed 1980s-1990. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
The metalworking techniques used in making bronze weapons in early Iran were very complex. Surfaces were often finished in repoussé work, and some of the weapons were chased, others engraved. The function of the ridges here was not only decorative, however, but principally to reduce suction and thus allow the blade to be withdrawn speedily. The ruling elites of warrior horsemen were buried in the graves with their weapons and horses which are the main sources of the Luristan and North-Western bronze weapons. -
Post Medieval Iron Pike Collection
16th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Comprising three weapons: a 'ronca contadina' (peasant scythed staff weapon, known as forest bill) made of trunco-conical tubular gorbia with tapering iron shaft, inclined to the right with respect to the axis of the weapon, ending in a bill; an alabarda-sergentina, iron blade halberd with central rib, two axe-heads, one convex one concave; an alghiero, guisarme with tapering pointed iron shaft of rectangular section, furnished with a side-bill; all three mounted upon wooden velvet-covered shafts. 6.3 kg total, 2.26-2.34 m
Ex Christie's, Holland, circa 2010. East Anglian private collection.
Certainly the most interesting of the three weapons is the peasant roncone. The hooked part of the weapon could be used to hook or cut things, but also for severing a horse's hocks causing both horse and rider to fall.
