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LOT 0256
Roman Iron Spatha Sword
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
32 5/8 in. (652 grams, 83 cm).
Comprising a wide double-edged blade of Illerup-Wyhl typology; blood channels and later inlays to both sides.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Miks, C., Studien zur Romischen Schwertbewaffnung in der Kaiserzeit, I-II Banden, Rahden, 2007, nos.A321,12,13, from Illerup Adal.
FootnotesSpecimens of Roman spathae of 2nd-3rd centuries have been found in large numbers in Danish bogs (Nydam, Straubing, Thorsberg, Illerup). The Straubing-Nydam type shows straight and convergent cutting edges, the width of which is reduced along the blade.
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Amarlu Type Bronze Sword with Blood Channels
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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. -
Post Medieval Iron Pike Collection
16th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Comprising three weapons: a 'ronca contadina' (peasant scythed staff weapon, known as forest bill) made of trunco-conical tubular gorbia with tapering iron shaft, inclined to the right with respect to the axis of the weapon, ending in a bill; an alabarda-sergentina, iron blade halberd with central rib, two axe-heads, one convex one concave; an alghiero, guisarme with tapering pointed iron shaft of rectangular section, furnished with a side-bill; all three mounted upon wooden velvet-covered shafts. 6.3 kg total, 2.26-2.34 m
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Certainly the most interesting of the three weapons is the peasant roncone. The hooked part of the weapon could be used to hook or cut things, but also for severing a horse's hocks causing both horse and rider to fall. -
Greek Bronze Arrowhead Group
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