Loading, please wait...
LOT 1573
Medieval Socketted Iron Flail
CIRCA 15TH CENTURY A.D.
23 in. (1.13 kg, 58.5 cm).
Hand-forged tubular socket of conical form and with collar to mouth, substantial loop, chain of oval links and connecting ring; a facetted conical head with lateral spikes. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx North American private collection, 1970s.
LiteratureSee Sturtevant, P.B., The military flail, in Medieval Warfare, January/February 2017, vol.6, no.6, pp.50-53, for discussion.
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.
-
Bactrian Bronze Claw Axehead
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Egg-shaped with spiked prongs to the socket, narrow rounded cutting edge. 148 grams, 13.2 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
The 'claw mace' was an enigmatic ancient bronze weapon from the Bronze Age Near East. The hollow bulbous head was trailed by tines of varying lengths. It is believed that it was affixed over a wooden shaft and used like a club in combat, and not necessarily used as ceremonial weapon. The knife-edge bulb end could have broken bones and proven to be a formidable striking weapon requiring no skill to wield. The tines would have not only been decorative, but have served to add strength below the striking end to prevent breakage. In battle, maces were often used by commanders to display rank when giving orders in battle and leading soldiers, inspiring leadership and power. Egg-shaped with spiked sleeves or prongs, the top of the weapon with a narrow edge, the sleeves with small internal tangs for mounting. -
Luristan Bronze Axehead
12th-11th century B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
A spike-butted axehead with a short cylindrical socket with four furrowed ribs leading to four short spikes, blade with curved upper and lower edges and a convex cutting edge. 390 grams, 22 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
It is difficult to know whether this type of axe, given its high decoration in some specimens, was used as a weapon or was a symbol of rank and prestige, employed for ceremonial or cult purposes. However, considering that the concept of parade weapons did not exist in the surrounding areas in Antiquity, these axes were most probably used for both military and ceremonial purposes. -
Thracian Iron Dagger
Circa 5th-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
Single-edged curving upper blade, rectangular guard with incised saltire, segmented grip and upper guard fixed with pins, loop finial; rhomphaia type. 276 grams, 34.7 cm
Ex North American collection, 1970s.
