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LOT 0303
Migration Period Iron Sword with Garnet and Shell Cross Guard with Gold and Amber Sword Bead
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 - 39 3/8 in. (970 grams total, 2-100 cm).
Eastern Roman or Germanic cavalry spatha with a parallel-sided blade and broad pointed tip, long tang; the trapezoidal lower guard with a gilt chip-carved plate divided in segments set with garnets to one side, each end with a shell disc set with a central garnet cabochon; accompanied by a strap from the scabbard and an amber sword bead with a beaded gold setting with a garnet cabochon. [4]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
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.12012-213600.
Cf. Behmer, E., Das zweischneidige Schwert der germanischen Völkerwanderungszeit, Stockholm, 1939; Lebedinsky, I., Armes et guerriers barbares au temps des grandes invasions, Paris, 2001; Périn P., Kazanski, M., ‘La tombe de Childéric, le Danube et la Méditerranée’ in Villes et campagnes en Neustrie, (Europe médiévale, 8) Montagnac, 2007, pp.29-38; Spier, J., Treasures of the Ferrell collection, Wiesbaden, 2010.
FootnotesThe western spatha of the 4th-6th centuries was developed in a context that one can qualify as Romano-Germanic. Certain characteristics of the future Merovingian sword were already present in late Roman swords. It is quite natural that Type IV swords have been found in the countries conquered or settled by the Goths in southern, central and western Europe.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0303
Migration Period Iron Sword with Garnet and Shell Cross Guard with Gold and Amber Sword Bead
Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,240
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Hellenistic Rhodian Lead Slingshot with Scorpion
3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Lentoid-section and depicting a stylised scorpion to one side and inscription 'ΚΑΛΑ' on the other. 26 grams, 31 mm
Ex Cummings collection, UK, 1990s.
Together with the Balearic slingers, Rhodian slingers were considered to be the best of the Hellenistic world, and they were also used in the Roman army. The slingshots with an image of a scorpion on one side and with an inscription ΚΑΛΑ on the other are believed to originate from the Island of Rhodes. On these sling bullets ΚΑΛΑ should be translated as “nice things.” Of course, ironically, these “nice things” were designed to kill enemies and to sting like a scorpion, and the message of those with the image of a scorpion could be understood, as proposed ny M. Manov and N. Torbov, as: “nice things sting like a scorpion.” -
Western Asiatic Bronze Tanged Spearhead
Circa 13th-6th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With leaf-shaped blade and rounded tip, pronounced medial rib and shoulder flanges, short flat-section tang. 255 grams, 31 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The spearhead belongs to type 2 of spearheads according to the classification of Khorasani. A similar specimen was excavated by Negahban in Marlik. -
North West Persian Short Sword with Blood Channels
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
With short tang for an organic hilt, the blade showing multiple grooves forming a pronounced mid-rib spanning roughly more than three-quarters of the blade; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.18 kg total, 45.5 cm (49 cm including stand)
Ex P.A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s.
Luristan was hardly an ethnic or political entity, but the people of Luri had relations through warfare and traded with Sumerians, Lullubi, Assyrians, Babylonians and Elamites over a long period of time, spanning from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium B.C. The ruling elites of warrior horsemen were buried with their weapons and horses.
