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LOT 1079
Medieval Socketted Catapult Dart
14TH-16TH CENTURY A.D.
11 3/8 in. (94 grams, 29 cm).
An iron catapult dart formed with a tapering cylindrical socket, square-section neck and barbed triangular head with full-length medial rib to both faces.
ProvenanceAcquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
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Viking Period Danish Type Broad Axehead
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
An iron broad axehead of asymmetrical profile with reinforced curved cutting edge, triangular-section socket with flanking spurs to upper and lower edges. 387 grams, 15.7 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The broad axe of type M is a weapon specifically designed as battle-axe with the edge, being Þunssleginn, i.e. thinly forged. These broad axes were the prerogative of the housecarls of the Anglo-Danish King Canute, of the guardsmen fighting with Harold at Stamford Bridge and Hastings in 1066 A.D. and of the famous Varangian Guard of the Roman emperors of Constantinople. -
Western Asiatic Paddle-Shaped Axehead
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
A copper-alloy axehead with roughly lozenge-shaped butt, oblong socket and paddle-shaped cheeks; incised concentric lines following the outline of the butt and flared, projecting knop at the centre. 335 grams, 16 cm
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.
The axe belongs to subtype H2.J.b of the Gernez classification. These axes are characterised by decoration often executed with remarkable care and technical skill. The enlargement and indentation of the back of the collar varies, whilst the shape of the blade is, by contrast, standardised, with divergent rectilinear edges and a straight cutting edge or, more rarely, a rounded cutting edge, as in the example offered here. -
Migration Period Spatha Sword Blade with Sword Bead
Circa 4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
A double-edged spatha with a lentoid section parallel-sided iron blade with pointed tip; battle nicks to both cutting edges; rhomboid-section cross-guard; a fastening nail on the upper tang; accompanied by a sword bead. 921 grams total, 2.7- 86.5 cm
cleaned and conserved.
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.
A Migration Period sword, originating from Central Asia, often used by nomadic populations and particularly by the Huns, defined as a Nomadic-Asiatic sword by Menghin, or as a sword with plate guard. The long and thin blade, with a lenticular or lozenge section, was equipped with a guard composed of an iron plate inserted into the tang. Little is known about the scabbard of these swords but it is known that they usually had disc-shaped pommels, and stones hanging from the pommel or hilt. This typology was widespread in Central Europe by the Huns and there are also specimens attested in Gaul in the 5th century.
