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LOT 1056
Post Medieval Iron Pike Collection
16TH-18TH CENTURY A.D.
89 - 92 1/8 in. (6.3 kg total, 2.26-2.34 m).
Comprising three weapons: a 'ronca contadina' (peasant scythed staff weapon, known as forest bill) made of trunco-conical tubular gorbia with tapering iron shaft, inclined to the right with respect to the axis of the weapon, ending in a bill; an alabarda-sergentina, iron blade halberd with central rib, two axe-heads, one convex one concave; an alghiero, guisarme with tapering pointed iron shaft of rectangular section, furnished with a side-bill; all three mounted upon wooden velvet-covered shafts. [3]
ProvenanceEx Christie's, Holland, circa 2010.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Mauro, M., Armeria della Rocca, mostra di armi antiche, Ancona, 1989, no.124; Pinti, P., Armi e Arte, un viaggio per musei, chiese e castelli alla ricerca di armi antiche, alla ricerca di cose belle (Weapons and Art, a journey through museums, churches and castles in search of ancient weapons, in search of beautiful things, in Italian,) Ascoli Piceno, 1997, p.96; Troso, M., Le Armi in Asta delle Fanterie Europee 1000-1500 (Pole Weapons of European Infantry 1000-1500, in Italian), Novara, 1988, p.58, fig.2.
FootnotesCertainly the most interesting of the three weapons is the peasant roncone. The hooked part of the weapon could be used to hook or cut things, but also for severing a horse's hocks causing both horse and rider to fall.
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Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hook
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £176
Each a tapering scrolled bar of zoomorphic form representing serpents or other animals with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. 32.7 grams total, 63-67 mm
Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Group
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Three tanged arrowheads with broadly leaf-shaped heads with shallow barbs, each with a raised midrib to both faces. 83 grams total, 13.5-14.5 cm
Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s. -
Victorian Police Truncheon
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Composed of a tapering wooden blunt-tipped shaft, waisted grip with raised ribs and 'button' terminal. 309 grams, 43 cm
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
