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LOT 1476
Migration Period Iron Sword with Rock Crystal, Gold and Garnet Sword Bead
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 - 36 in. (750 grams, 4-91.5 cm).
Comprising a double-edged blade with pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges; short bronze guard and a long tang; accompanied by a facetted rock crystal hilt pendant with a granulated gold mount above, set with a garnet cabochon; Eastern Roman or Alano-Gothic.
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 a search certificate number no.12041-216428.
Cf. Lebedinsky, I., Armes et guerriers barbares au temps des grandes invasions, Paris, 2001, pp.117-119; Lebedinsky, I., Les Sarmates, Amazones et lanciers cuirassés entre Oural et Danube, VIIe siècle av.J.C.-VIe siecle apr.J.C., Paris, 2002, p.139.
FootnotesA characteristic type of the Migration period, originally used by nomadic people such as the Alans and Sarmatians. An important element of these swords was the presence (in tombs) of amber or rock crystal fittings, which some authors have identified being part of the pommel (Zasetskaya), and others as pendants hanging from the hilt of the sword. Interestingly the sword of grave 9 from the Necropolis of Novohryhorivka is decorated with a similar pendant, made of amber and fitted with a silver mount decorated with a filigree border.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1476
Migration Period Iron Sword with Rock Crystal, Gold and Garnet Sword Bead
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
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Old Babylonian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
1800-1500 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Comprising paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib. 171 grams total, 53-78 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
These kind of arrowheads were typical of the Old Babylonian Empire. The shoulders were pronounced and the arrowhead had a rectangular-section tapering tang. This simple form was popular throughout and show comparative common finds in the Bible Lands. -
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Mongol Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the surface divided by four long grooves united at the bottom, and pattern like scales; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 474 grams, 14.3 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
This piece was a sort of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations, even in Burma. -
Viking Age Iron 'Gotland Type' Axe Head
Circa 9th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £702
With curved blade and trefoil-shaped chin to the lower edge, round socket with triangular flanges to the upper edge and trefoil-shaped flanges to the lower face. 635 grams, 16.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
The axe head was made in a particular shape showing elements of plant ornamentation and it may have been used both as a battle axe and working axe. Most men were farmers or labourers on a farm and rarely carried a weapon other than a knife and an axe. Nevertheless, battle, the hunt and the ability to ride were important elements of what constituted the ideal Viking man.
