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LOT 0265
Medieval Single-Handed Long Sword with Crosses
MID 10TH-MID 12TH CENTURY A.D.
39 3/4 in. (1.31 kg, 101 cm).
With a broad tapering blade, the wide and shallow fullers with inlaid decoration to both sides comprising a Greek cross within a circle, a cross potent and a wheel; long, straight guard and a short grip with a plain Brazil nut pommel. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceIng Peter Till collection, Austria 1990s.
UK collection, 2000s.
Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Oakeshott, J.R.E., The Archaeology of the weapons, London, 1960; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002; Nicolle, D., Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era, 1050-1350, vol I, London, 1999; the sword finds a good parallel with a specimen from Spain, published by Peirce (2002, p.124); with a sword dated to circa 1200, from Germany, preserved in the Wallace collection, London, England (Nicolle, 1999, fig.424); with a sword from Dresden, with the name INGELRII on one side and the phrase HOMO DEI on the other, dated to about 1100; also with a sword once in the Oakeshott collection with the mark of Carrocium, dated to around the 11th century.
FootnotesThe sword is of Oakeshott Type Xa or XI and Petersen Type X. According to Oakeshott (1960, p.204) the swords of type X were a development of Viking sword type VIII with slight modifications. Oakeshott describes such swords as common in the late Viking age (late 10th century) and remaining in use until the first quarter of the 13th century.
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LOT 0265
Medieval Single-Handed Long Sword with Crosses
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,460
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Very Large Viking Iron Battle Notched Axehead
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,184
Featuring an elongated triangular butt, flanged cylindrical socket, slender neck with broad, flaring cheeks; the blade, upper and lower edges notched. 1.36 kg, 28 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. -
Massive West Persian Bronze Spearhead
Circa 12th-10th century B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £139
With heavily ridged and tapered blade, short collared shaft and tapered bent tang with round stud terminal. 674 grams, 52.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The weapon belongs to the type 1 of the Khorasani spearhead classification, mainly from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C., but the period of use is attested at least until the 1000 B.C. -
South German Burgonet Helm
Circa 1560-1570 A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,111
The one-piece skull rising to a prominent baluster-shaped finial, facetted upper half, the lower writhen projecting forward to flat obtusely pointed integral peak and backwards to a similar but shorter integral neck-guard, hinged cheek-pieces embossed with a star with four points, an auditory hole between each arm; fitted internally with a quilted canvas lining; with possible punched 'eagle' maker mark to visor projection. 1.54 kg, 24 cm high
with Thomas Del Mar Ltd, 6th December 2017, lot 199. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Thomas Del Mar Ltd catalogue pages and purchase invoice. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11770-203982.
Most original burgonets feature some form of decoration. Rolled and roped edges and pierced cheek-pieces are common, and the finest burgonets were engraved, inlaid and/or selectively coloured and polished. Some were covered in fine cloth in the tradition of sallets. The name seems to be a corrupted form of bourguignotte, the contemporary French term for this helmet type.