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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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Volga Silver-Gilt Sword Belt Mount Group
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Comprising: two matching ogival plates with pellet borders; a trefoil plate with border of radiating lines framing three concentric circle and oval motifs; a plate with five lobes decorated with dashed lines and six concentric oval motifs at the centre; ogival plate with scalloped border, trefoil motif at centre; ogival plate with pellet border divided into three 'petals' by larger single pellets, scrolling vegetal motif; a floral style plate composed of discoid dimples; irregular hexagonal plate, the shape repeated at the centre, pellet border; trilobate plate with three single pellets to the perimeter and pellet border; ogival plate with expanded waist, raised 'wings' and rounded lozenge against a background of radiating lines; nine with three attachment lugs to reverse, one with two lugs. 31.8 grams total, 17-26 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.
The belt fittings find various comparisons with non-ferrous belt appliqués found in the territories of the Volga Bulgars, like specimens from the Semenovsky village. These items were parts of long warrior belts, the leather surfaces decorated all over with such bronze and silver appliqués. Symbols of ranks and elite warrior aristocracy, these belts also served a utilitarian purpose of suspending weapons such as a bow, quiver or a sabre. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Narrow triangular casting with gentle midrib and narrow point, scooped shoulders, long flat-section tang with lobe finial. 129 grams, 36 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
The type of the present dirk or dagger corresponds to type IX of Medvedskaya classification. The type consists of a bronze blade with organic handle, possibly made of bone or wood, and a long tang, which was usually bent at the extremity. According to Moorey, the exact dating of these pieces is uncertain. -
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English Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger
Late 15th-early 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Comprising a single-edged blade, whittle tang and cylindrical grip terminating in a bulbous openwork pommel. 178 grams, 31 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Carried universally throughout Europe, the kidney dagger or ballock dagger (dague a rognons) seems to have been used by all classes of society. Early effigies and brasses prove that the ballock dagger was a knightly weapon. Later on, the more elaborate daggers suggest that it was also a weapon of the emerging merchant and artisan classes. Of course there are also some very simple and crude examples which would probably have been used by the peasants.
