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LOT 1084
Roman Bronze Military Helmet Section
3RD CENTURY A.D.
7 3/4 in. (87 grams, 19.7 cm).
From the right side of the face mask, the upper edge with an embossed band of diagonal lines, Jupiter’s eagle embossed to the centre, looking back and holding a laurel crown in its beak; a hole for the fastening thongs at ear-level.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
See Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975; Garbsch, J., Römische Paraderustüngen, München, 1979; Born, H., Junkelmann, M., Römische Kampf-und Turnierrüstungen, Band VI, Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Mainz, 1997; D'Amato R., Negin, A., Decorated Roman Armour, London, 2017, especially figs.61, 273, 274.
FootnotesThe decoration of Roman weaponry contained themes that were directly associated with state propaganda, as well as with the Imperial cult. As the god-protector of the state and the army, Jupiter was the most esteemed. The combination of an eagle (helmet), Minerva and bust of Mars (armour) can also be understood as an image of dii militares.
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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. -
Amarlu Type Bronze Sword with Blood Channels
Late 2nd millenium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Formed with a long triangular blade, thick midrib with parallel fullers, rectangular guard, long tang with folded end. 668 grams, 73 cm
Acquired on the London art market, prior to 1980s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
This sword finds a good parallel with a bronze sword with bell-shaped pommel, today in the National Museum of Tehran. Originally these swords had separately made hilt which was then cast on the blade. These swords were more typical of the North-West Persian territory, especially in the Amlash and Gilan areas. -
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.