Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0307
Roman Pattern-Welded Iron Sword
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
33 3/4 in. (659 grams, 85.5 cm).
A Spatha with double-edged blade of Osterburken-Kemathen Type, fullers with damask pattern (rosette damask technique B.II.I.2), sturdy tang with remains of wood; the blade cleaned and conserved on one side.
Provenance
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11923-209660.
Published
Exhibited at Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 14th March-9th June 2024; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefact on display.
Literature
See Miks, C., Studien zur Romischen Schwertbewaffnung in der Kaiserzeit, I-II Banden, Rahden, 2007; for similar specimens see Miks, 2007, nos. A533, p.680, pl.137, from Nowa Cerekiew; A766, p.755, pl.141, from Vrasselt.
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 0307
Roman Pattern-Welded Iron Sword
Estimate £2,000 - 3,000€2,320 - 3,480 (for guidance only)$2,700 - 4,050 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Viking Age Sword with Engraved Mammen Style Hilt
8th-9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
Pattern-welded, double-edged tapering blade with a tapering tang; the boat-shaped lower guard, pommel, and upper guard decorated in Mammen Style with silver inlay; professionally conserved. 955 grams, 90.5 cm
Some light pitting in evidence along with minor edge loss, some delamination visible on the blade’s surface; professionally treated and preserved according to Museum’s standard.
From the Bornhauser collections. Ex A. Green private collection. Ex Balticum. with Army of Tennessee Relics, Knoxville, USA. Accompanied by an Army of Tennessee certificate of authenticity dated 5th October 2017. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12021-214091.
This beautiful Viking sword (probably a river find) shows engraved decoration in Mammen style (700-800 A.D.) and is an early type A according to the Petersen’s typology and classification. This category of swords evolved from the swords of the Vendel Period in Scandinavia, especially from the Swedish ones. Petersen originally individuated eight examples of this sword’s typology, one of the first categories of Viking swords, although these swords were also widely used in the Carolingian Empire. -
Large Marlik Type Bronze Socketted Spearhead with Blood Channels
14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £211
Comprising a triangular blade with prominent midrib, long split socket with two piercings for attachment and lower part decorated by horizontal circular grooves. 336 grams, 48 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
According to Khorasani, this spearhead belongs to the type VIII of his classification, characterised by a well-projecting midrib and long folded socket. The triangular blade is related to the subtype 2. Similar spearhead was excavated by Dr Negahban in the Royal Cemetery of Marlik (tomb 2, trench III D). -
Western Asiatic Bronze Spearhead with Decorative Supports and Blood Channels
2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
With a long triangular blade, strongly marked midrib divided into five grooves, rectangular-section tang; engraved and reinforced shaft with diagonal and horizontal grooves. 474 grams, 43 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
This homogeneous subtype (LF 2a of Gernez) is characterised by a set of morphological particularities which constitute a functional and aesthetic outcome. The tapered blade, triangular (like in our case) or ogival, is reinforced by a strong median bulge. The intermediate part often bears an incised or moulded decoration and the base is with a marked widening or with a stopper disc. The tang, square in section, is curved and widens at the end almost at a right angle.