Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1178
Roman Iron Gladius
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
32 5/8 in. (557 grams, 83 cm).
Or semi-spatha blade with parallel-sided lentoid-section body and a long rectangular-section tang; Mainz type, Wederath-Canterbury-Kopki variant; repaired and surface treated.
Provenance
Ex South London collection, acquired 1970-1990.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Literature
See Miks, C., Studien zur Romischen Schwertbewaffnung in der Kaiserzeit, I-II Banden, Rahden, 2007, p.637, no.A369, for similar specimen from Korytnica (Poland), found in 1999.
Footnotes
In contrast to the average length of the Roman Pompeii type gladius, some Roman swords, continuing the typology of the Mainz gladius, tend to be longer and transform themselves into a semi-spatha. Both the weapon from Eich (Miks, 2001, AI43), and especially a gladius from Korytnica with approximate blade length of 548mm (total length 762mm) is very close to the length limit of a semi-spatha. The same can be said of a blade from Godmanchester (Miks, 2001, no.A824) for its dimensions and proportions, where the tip of the blade already gives a significantly shorter impression, showing a certain relationship to 'Lauriacum-Hrornöwka', 'Mainz-Canterbury' variant type spathae.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 1178
Roman Iron Gladius
Estimate £1,300 - 1,600€1,510 - 1,860 (for guidance only)$1,760 - 2,160 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Medieval Iron Knife with Chape
Circa 14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
The undulating blade with a single cutting edge, guard and tang, together with a chape (belonging) with decorative incising. 159 grams, 26 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance. -
Luristan Short Sword Blade
Early 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Triangular with thick rectangular-section midrib, rounded shoulders, narrow tip, short tang with hole for fixing pin for the organic grip; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 285 grams total, 32 cm wide including stand
Acquired 1980s-1990s. From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK.
This tanged bronze blade from Luristan belongs to a category of Luristan swords still in use in the Achaemenid Period, as proved by a blade with a perished handle (probably bone or wood) of the same type, in the National Museum of Iran (2694/15633). Examples without inscriptions like our model have been classified by Grotkamp-Schepers in the Solingen Museum as pieces from Luristan. -
'The Repton' British Viking Iron Bearded Axehead
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,061
Hand-forged with triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin, socket with rounded extensions to the rear. 464 grams, 15 cm
Found Repton, Nottingham, UK, in the 1960s. Gary Edwards, York, UK. Private collection, Preston, UK. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and receipt from Gary Edwards, no.12386.
The bearded axehead were called skeggöks, in Norse language, and had a long edge designated to work split tree-trunks into planks and beams.