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LOT 0266
Medieval Quillon Dagger with Bronze Pommel
ENGLAND OR GERMANY, 16TH CENTURY A.D.
13 3/8 in. (177 grams, 34 cm).
Featuring a hexagonal brass pommel engraved with a fleur-de-lis to one side and a dragon to the other; pierced tang, two short quillons inclining towards the blade, terminating in lion head-shaped finials; straight single-edged blade, with side ridges to both faces of the blade, tapering to a fine point.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Leeds Armoury inventory no.X 797, for a similar double-edged quillon dagger blade with identical guard, excavated from the Thames at Cannon Street Bridge, believed to be the site of a steelyard of the Hanseatic League.
FootnotesQuillon daggers were predominantly employed as a military weapon. During the 16th century, this dagger continued to be popular, although the hilt no longer resembled that of the contemporary sword, as sword hilts had developed into more intricate forms.
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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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. -
Greek Browband from Bronze Pseudo-Attic Helmet
3rd-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Semi-circular in shape, flat, the upper part raised, the lower one fitted with two fastening holes for the attachment to the upper bowl of the helmet; restored. 42 grams, 20.6 cm
Restored.
Private collection before 1937. Private collection, acquired February 1937, thence by descent. T.S. collection, UK, 1963.
The browband comes from a pseudo-Attic helmet of Thracian type (example from Brjastovec) or of a pseudo-Attic type with a high cap and fitted with a browband. These helmets, after prototypes already visible in the 5th century B.C., are typical of the Hellenistic era. The browband, if not fixed, was attached under the helmet's bowl, on the sides, by two rivets. -
Luristan Bronze Blade
Late 2nd- early 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £140
Sharply pointed with raised midrib to each face, square shoulders pierced to accept the fixings for the hilt, stub tang. 217 grams, 35.5 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
The two holes on the shoulders of the blade provided attachment for a separate hilt. This could have been a penannular grip, which can be seen on some swords from Sangtarashan; or in north-west Iranian blades with rectangular guard and flanged hilt, where the guard was rivetted to the blade, like in some swords in the Axel Guttmann collection.
