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LOT 0301
Medieval Knight's Iron Hand-and-a-Half Sword with Inscribed Bronze Pommel
GERMANY, 14TH CENTURY A.D.
44 1/2 in. (1.25 kg, 113 cm).
Longsword of Oakeshott's Type XVa, cross style 8, bronze pommel style J (recessed); strongly tapering, pointed blade of ‘flattened diamond’ section, cross style tapering gradually outward to sharply downturned tips; long grip with slight taper, disc pommel with chamfered edges and a potent cross in the centre surrounded by an inscription (on both sides) '+ IH SU + AAWM'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century.
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.13034-24799.
Cf. Oakeshott, R.E., The Archaeology of the weapons, London, 1960; Oakeshott, E., The sword in the Age of the Chivalry, Woodbridge, 1964 (1994); Oakeshott, E., Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge, 1991; Oakeshott, E., Sword in hand, London, 2001 (2007); a similar sample in the Royal Armouries from the former collection of Sir Edward Barry (Oakeshott, 1991, p.140); for a parallel with the pommel see a similar specimen in the London Museum, inv.2018.11.
FootnotesSome wheel pommels of this date have engraved, or inset roundels with armorial or devotional emblems, and a number of sword blades of this date bear religious inscriptions in the form of a prayer. The inscription on the pommel between the two potent crosses is intriguing. The letters 'IH SU' are a clear reference to the name of the Saviour, and can be translated as Ihesu-Jesus, or also Ihesu Merci (Jesus have mercy), a simple prayer for the person carrying the sword. The letters 'A.A. W.M.' could refer to the name of the owner of the sword (WM = Wilhelm) or the maker of the weapon. It is difficult to consider the letters as an abbreviation of the prayer ‘Ave Maria’, usually shortened in the German medieval inscriptions as A.M.
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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LOT 0301
Medieval Knight's Iron Hand-and-a-Half Sword with Inscribed Bronze Pommel
Sold for (Inc. bp): £14,300
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Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, South Germany. 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 no.13066-249665.
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