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LOT 0259
Migration Period Iron Sword with Garnet Cross Guard and Scabbard Fittings
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
35 7/8 in. (903 grams, 91 cm).
With a double-edged parallel-sided blade with broad pointed tip; the lower guard inlaid with garnet cloisonné divided into four segments; accompanied by a rectangular scabbard slide inlaid with two rows of garnets and other stone; and a part of a sheet-silver chape.
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.11819-206855.
See Behmer, E., Das zweischneidige Schwert der germanischen Völkerwanderungszeit, Stockholm, 1939; Lebedinsky, I., Armes et guerriers barbares au temps des grandes invasions, Paris, 2001; Lebedinsky, I., De l’epée scythe au sabre mongol, Paris, 2008, pp.114ff.
FootnotesThe sword belongs to the group of blades with wide guard coming from Eastern Europe, in particular from the regions of the Black Sea. The most striking examples are the sword of Dmytrivka (in the Zaporizhzhia), from a Hunnic grave, the guard and its extending reinforcement collar inlaid with precious stones; the sword of Lermontovskaia (North of Caucasus), from the grave of an Alan warrior (5th century A.D.), having the guard inlaid with coloured glass; the Pokrovsk-Voskhod swords (Region of Saratovo, on the Volga), from a Nomad grave of 5th century A.D., with garnet cloisonné on a gold background (Lebedinsky, 2001,pp.121ff.).
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0259
Migration Period Iron Sword with Garnet Cross Guard and Scabbard Fittings
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
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Ummayad Bronze Spearhead
7th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £133
Formed with a broadly triangular blade, narrow neck and tapering round-section socket. 245 grams, 34 cm
Ex old English collection. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
The basic Arabic term for a spear or lance, whether used by cavalry or infantry, was rumh. In the 7th century it normally would have been ten or twelve cubits long, i.e. four and a half metres. -
Greek Bronze Chalcidian Helmet
5th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,667
Of Kunze Group VII, formed from two curved segments, each with a flared rim, nasal, raised panels to the upper section of the bowl, repoussé ridge forming curved brows, a recess for the ear to each side; star-shaped attachment to the top with slot for plumes; restored and with replica cheek pieces. 2.7 kg total, 42.5 cm high including stand
Restored, but in general good condition, rare details
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex private Austrian collection. The Kusmirek Collection, UK Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by a report of metallurgical analytical results, written by metallurgist Dr Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, University of Oxford. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11763-203979.
Among the Chalcidian helmet types, the fifth and last typology, corresponding to the Kunze group VII (Pflug, 1988, p.138), was characterised by the presence of detached cheek-guards. By the end of the 5th century BC, the fixed cheek-pieces had been entirely abandoned on the Chalcidian helmets for the more versatile hinged cheek pieces. Several district regional workshops produced such helmets by the 5th century B.C.: mainland Greece, the Black Sea Coast, Thrace, Southern Italy and Iberia. -
Luristan Bronze Dirk
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Composed of a leaf-shaped blade with a raised penannular rib and slot below the shoulder connected to the grip with lateral flanges and integral pommel, recessed to accept an organic insert. 264 grams, 37.5 cm
From an old English collection, formed in the 1980s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
This dirk, cast in one piece mould, belongs to the daggers that Medvedskaya believes support the thesis that majority of them were cast in one piece. However, there are examples where the penannular grip was cast on later on the dagger or dirk.
