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LOT 1101
Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hook
1ST CENTURY A.D.
2 1/2 - 2 5/8 in. (32.7 grams total, 63-67 mm).
Each a tapering scrolled bar of zoomorphic form representing serpents or other animals with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. [2]
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
LiteratureCf. D'Amato, R. and Sumner, G., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier: From Marius to Commodus, 112 BC-AD 192, London, 2009, fig.159, for similar double fastening hooks.
FootnotesIn 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.
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Mk3C Fighter Flying Helmet and Suit
1980s A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Including MK 9 flying suit coveralls (for height 162-172cm, weight greater than 72.64 kg, size 4) with insignia to 825 Squadron (Fleet Air Arm) on shoulder and sewn cleaning and user instruction labels to the interior, shoulders with Flt Lieutenant Officer rank slides; MK3C flying helmet with clear and smoked visors, pig skin and blue velvet lining with electrical headset and adjustable microphone with radio lead and plug; Air Ministry label to interior reading 'Serial number 26396 Large Mk 3C' and AM 'crow's foot'. 2.9 kg, 29 cm
Acquired from J C Militaria, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of JCM listing details and brief squadron research.
825 Squadron was originally formed in 1934 and served during WWII; it was reformed on the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982 and equipped with ten Sea King helicopters; the squadron was disbanded in September 1982. -
Medieval Iron Arrowhead Group
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Comprising tanged arrowheads of various types. 59 grams total, 5-11.6 cm
Acquired before 1972. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
The projectiles belong to the type 1 of the A. Michalak classification. In Western Europe, especially from the 13th century onwards, arrows were made in various forms including: simple cone-shaped heads, rhomboid heads, hooked heads, heads with various curved barbs, willow-shaped heads, triangular and flat-bladed heads, crescent-shaped heads and sometimes as petal-shaped and battering heads. -
Khazar Silver-Gilt Sword Belt Hanger
7th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £140
Formed as leaves or a flower bud with volutes emerging from a rectangular frame at the upper end, also with volutes, integral loop above; two mounting lugs to the reverse. 6.03 grams, 27 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.
In the development of the Seversky Donets basin, together with the Alans and other bearers of the cremation rite, archaeology confirms the presence of tribes who practiced inhumation funeral rite with the eastern orientation of the dead (Netailovsky ground burial). Elements of belt sets, typical for this period, were found in these graves. Elements of the belt set similar to those found in the burials of the Netailovsky burial ground mainly come from the so-called ‘under-barrow burials with ditches’ of the 7th - first half of the 8th centuries, identified with the Khazars proper. Floral decoration of the belt elements, like this one, can be regarded as evidence of intensive contacts between the Khazars and Byzantium.