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LOT 0231
Migration Period Spatha Sword Blade with Fittings
CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
2 - 32 in. (937 grams total, 5-81.3 cm).
A military assemblage comprising: a double-edged spatha with a lentoid parallel-sided iron blade and pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges; long tang with a bronze fastening rivet in situ; oblate chalcedony pommel; gilt copper-alloy chape scabbard fitting with fastening holes and a pair of round scabbard or baldric fittings. [4, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.11587-198852.
Cf. Lebedinski, I., Armes et guerriers Barbares au temps des grandes invasions IVème au Vième siècle après J.C., Paris, 2001, pp.117ff.; Kazanski, M.M., “Парадные” мечи эпохи Великого переселения народов на Боспоре Киммерийском’ ("Ceremonial" swords of the era of the Great Migration of People in the Cimmerian Bosporus, in Russian), in Bosporos Studies / Боспорские Исследования, 2022, 44, pp.177-201, figs.3, 7, no.1, for similar scabbard and fitting parts.
FootnotesPrestigious swords with richly trimmed sheaths, guards and hilts of the Great Migration Period on the Cimmerian Bosphorus are very few, although some specimens have been excavated from Kerch, Phanagoria, Hermonassa and Dzhurga-Oba. They were either custom-made or received as war booty. This sword belongs to a group of spathae of late Roman typology spread among the Germanic and Nomad foederati, and garrison troops of the Northern Black Sea and Bosphorus.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0231
Migration Period Spatha Sword Blade with Fittings
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
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Western Asiatic 'Crescentic' Axehead
1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
A bronze axehead with slender tubular socket, horizontal upper cheek and curved lower one, scooped profile to blade with convex cutting edge. 330 grams, 12.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
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Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda
45 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), the inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 62.67 grams, 37 mm
Fine condition.
Found near to an important village site, close to Seville, 1960-1970. From an old Spanish collection. Swiss private collection. Accompanied by a copy of the Spanish export licence. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'.
The shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against the last fellows of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used in the civil war among Pompey and Caesar, and in all of Caesar's wars. The funditores of Caesar's age were part of the light infantry. Caesar speaks of his Balearic slingers during the conquest of Gaul. They wore a short tunic, with leather or rope sandals to the feet, and a warm overcoat which could also have been used to store projectiles. They also used a satchel to carry very deadly lead-like stones or bullets. -
Viking Rus Period Bearded Type Axehead
Circa 11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
An iron axehead with sturdy neck and slightly curved triangular blade; socket with lateral flanges and long rectangular extension to the rear. 746 grams, 19 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The axe seems to be a variation of type III of the Kirpichnikov classification of the Eastern Rus Axes typology - battle axes with downwards blade, two pairs of side wings and an elongated cut-out butt. Paulsen called the related type "Varangian group" of North Baltic axes.
