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LOT 1038
Post Roman Squama Armour
5TH-9TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 - 1 1/2 in. (55 grams total, 19-38 mm).
Each scale B-shaped, slightly convex sides, two equally spaced circular holes along the straight edge. [5, No Reserve]
ProvenanceThe Kusmirek Collection, UK.
LiteratureCf. D'Amato, R., Salimbeti, A., Post Roman Kingdoms, Dark Ages Gaul and Britain, 450-800, Oxford, 2023, p.37, letters A, D, for similar.
FootnotesThis object is not typical of 'squama' which usually has scales that are rectangular with one rounded end, and numerous attachment holes at the square end in pairs. However, it can be a type widespread in the post Roman age, with various specimens found in Britain (PAS SWYOR-CA6BBB, BM-95F434 and NCL-34BE90.
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AUCTIONS:
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Percussion Long Musket
19th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
Long-barrelled (101cm) and slightly flared to an octagonal muzzle, bound to wood stock with six brass bands; with percussion lock (working order); fitted with iron butt plate and brass trigger guard; numbered 'D22/81' to side of butt; with a steel ramrod to underside of barrel (end ferrule of slot absent); probably native workmanship, copying European type. 4.50 kg, 150 cm overall
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent. -
North-Western Bronze Short Sword
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
Featuring a prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso of the blade and partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 346 grams, 43.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately, and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. -
Large Byzantine Silver Archer's Ring
14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £240
Comprising a hoop with reserved triangular ornament on the edges and triangular plaque with foliage motifs, raised central panel with frond motif. 22.61 grams, 34.77 mm overall, 25.16 mm internal diameter
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
Archer rings in Late Byzantium and the medieval Balkans were connected with the employment of the powerful composite bow, but very often, in the 14th century they served as insignia of rank for aristocratic noblemen. Archaeological findings of archers’ rings originate mainly from fortified towns, including mining centres. Many were made in bone, simple in design and undecorated. In contrast, the ones made in bronze and silver were usually decorated in rather uniform style, consisting of floral motifs on the head, mostly tulip and foliage, and linear motifs around the edges. This decoration combined Turkish, Central European and Eastern Roman traditional patterns.