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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.
ProvenanceEx South London collection, acquired 1970-1990.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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.
FootnotesIn 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.
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LOT 1178
Roman Iron Gladius
Estimate £1,300 - 1,600€1,510 - 1,860 (for guidance only)$1,760 - 2,160 (for guidance only)
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Luristan Bronze Short Sword
Circa 1000 B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £210
The blade with a tapering profile, triangular in overall form, with square shoulders, penannular guard with strong midrib, flanged hilt with crenellated grip, widening slightly into a fan-shaped pommel; tip repaired. 383 grams, 44 cm long
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
These types of short sword or dirks were usually cast in one piece, and the penannular rib in relief was cast on at the same time with the handle of the blade. In some cases, however, the penannular rib was later cast on the dagger, possibly to strengthen a weak point at the junction of hilt and blade. The flanged hilt was originally filled with organic material like bone. -
Greek Bronze Chalcidian Helmet
5th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,667
Of Kunze Group VII, formed from two curved segments, each with a flared rim, nasal, raised panels to the upper section of the bowl, repoussé ridge forming curved brows, a recess for the ear to each side; star-shaped attachment to the top with slot for plumes; restored and with replica cheek pieces. 2.7 kg total, 42.5 cm high including stand
Restored, but in general good condition, rare details
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex private Austrian collection. The Kusmirek Collection, UK Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by a report of metallurgical analytical results, written by metallurgist Dr Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, University of Oxford. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11763-203979.
Among the Chalcidian helmet types, the fifth and last typology, corresponding to the Kunze group VII (Pflug, 1988, p.138), was characterised by the presence of detached cheek-guards. By the end of the 5th century BC, the fixed cheek-pieces had been entirely abandoned on the Chalcidian helmets for the more versatile hinged cheek pieces. Several district regional workshops produced such helmets by the 5th century B.C.: mainland Greece, the Black Sea Coast, Thrace, Southern Italy and Iberia. -
Marlik Bronze Arrowhead Group
12th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Comprising four tanged arrowheads, with large bronze elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft; three with barbed shoulders and convex sides. 106 grams total, 10.2-15.2 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Some of these arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory type C, according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders and D with round shoulders.
