Loading, please wait...
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.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Western Asiatic Bronze Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With central socket and shaft; cutting blade set vertically at a right-angle; the short pick-adze blade arranged horizontally. 1.3 kg, 26 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The earliest axe-adzes from the 3rd millennium B.C. were weapons and tools furnished with socket holes. Usually a socket was a more secure way of attaching the object to a wooden haft than having a tang. These weapons developed into a plethora of different forms in the 2nd millennium B.C., and the numerous new forms and were used until at least 800 B.C. -
Australian Aboriginal Throwing Club
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
The round-section shaft with one tapered end and a pointed, bulbous head. 435 grams, 69 cm
Acquired UK market. Property of a Kent collector.
Used for hunting and in warfare. Possibly engraved using a possum tooth. -
.jpg)
Pseudo-Illyrian Chalcidian Variant Bronze Helmet
4th-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Large rounded two-part bowl rivetted beneath the repoussé crest extending across the brow and around the circumference; repoussé arches above the eyes extending to the nasal; lateral D-shaped cheek-pieces with scallop to the forward edge, pierced for a chin-strap; some restoration of the bowl and one cheek-piece; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.7 kg total, 48 cm high including stand
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.11751-202770.
According both to Symonenko and Dedjulkin (2014, p.189, fig.9, nn.4-5-6), this category of helmet derives from Chalcidian types (with pseudo-Illyrian elements). As with Chalcidian helmets, our specimen shows vertical decorative lines on the bowl and triangular brow ornament. Distinct from Attic types, it does not have a protruding neck guard introduced on variant III of such helmets (Symonenko, 2014, fig. 15,2-3). According to Dedjulkin, these helmets derive from Greek prototypes, but are simplifications of the original models and made by local artisans. They were widely worn by mercenaries in the Hellenised armies of Pontus and other Hellenistic kingdoms across the Eastern Mediterranean.
