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LOT 1064
North-West Persian Bronze Sword Blade
EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
17 3/4 in. (370 grams, 45 cm).
Narrow triangular blade with raised median panel, scooped shoulders and short tang with pierced bulb finial.
ProvenanceEx German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
LiteratureCf. Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, p.34, no.31.
FootnotesThe hilt of this magnificent sword would have originally been made of organic material. The forms of hilt are often replicated on cast metal counterparts. As proved by excavations of sites like Sangtarashan, stones were often used for decorating metal weapons, especially for bronze dagger pommels.
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Medieval Iron Hand-And-A-Half Sword
Circa 14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820
Of Oakeshott type XVIIIa or b with a strongly tapering blade of flattened diamond-section without fullers; the lower guard gently curving towards the blade, long grip; pommel of style T1 in the form of a truncated wedge. 1.35 kg, 1.07 m
Acquired 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 searcher certificate number no.11759-202773. -
Medieval Quillon Dagger with Bronze Pommel
England or Germany, 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
Featuring a hexagonal brass pommel engraved with a fleur-de-lis to one side and a dragon to the other; pierced tang, two short quillons inclining towards the blade, terminating in lion head-shaped finials; straight single-edged blade, with side ridges to both faces of the blade, tapering to a fine point. 177 grams, 34 cm
Tang is heavily corroded, trace of employment on the battlefield.
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Quillon daggers were predominantly employed as a military weapon. During the 16th century, this dagger continued to be popular, although the hilt no longer resembled that of the contemporary sword, as sword hilts had developed into more intricate forms. -
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Pseudo-Illyrian Chalcidian Variant Bronze Helmet
4th-1st century B.C.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,667
Large rounded two-part bowl rivetted beneath the repoussé crest extending across the brow and around the circumference; repoussé arches above the eyes extending to the nasal; lateral D-shaped cheek-pieces with scallop to the forward edge, pierced for a chin-strap; some restoration of the bowl and one cheek-piece; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.7 kg total, 48 cm high including stand
Acquired 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 search certificate number no.11751-202770.
According both to Symonenko and Dedjulkin (2014, p.189, fig.9, nn.4-5-6), this category of helmet derives from Chalcidian types (with pseudo-Illyrian elements). As with Chalcidian helmets, our specimen shows vertical decorative lines on the bowl and triangular brow ornament. Distinct from Attic types, it does not have a protruding neck guard introduced on variant III of such helmets (Symonenko, 2014, fig. 15,2-3). According to Dedjulkin, these helmets derive from Greek prototypes, but are simplifications of the original models and made by local artisans. They were widely worn by mercenaries in the Hellenised armies of Pontus and other Hellenistic kingdoms across the Eastern Mediterranean.
