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LOT 1382
Saxon and Roman Iron Military Spur Display
CIRCA 2ND-10TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/4 in. (254 grams total, 82-83 mm).
Comprising a Roman U-shaped spur with lateral lugs and prick spur; an Anglo-Saxon iron spur with barley twist body and small terminals. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
PublishedBailey, G., Detector Finds 5 Witham, 2002, p.32, fig.1, for the Saxon spur.
LiteratureCf. De Shortt, H., ‘A provincial Roman spur from Longstock, Hants, and other spurs from Roman Britain,’ in The Antiquaries Journal, volume 39 issue 12, Cambridge, 1959, pp.61-76, fig.22 (Hod Hill) and 25 (Hadrian’s Wall), for similar Roman spurs.
FootnotesThe Romans employed a light spur (calcar) made of bronze or iron, U-shaped and barely covering the heel. To the rear of the spur was a small point, and this form continued to be in use through the early Medieval period. The Saxon spurs were very similar to the Roman examples, although slightly larger and with a more spiked point.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1382
Saxon and Roman Iron Military Spur Display
Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
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Luristan Bronze Short Sword
13th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With lentoid-section blade, tongue-shaped in plan, with integral tapering hilt with flared finial, lateral flanges to accept a panel of bone to each face forming the grip. 195 grams, 33.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The art of Luristan can be described as the art of nomadic herdsmen and horsemen with an emphasis on the crafting of small, easily portable objects, among these a great number of bronze weapons. The rich and noble aristocrats of the Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, went to battle splendidly equipped and wore magnificent bronze armour, using maces, spears and daggers as offensive weapons, alongside spears, bows and arrows. -
Iron Age Celtic Iron Spearhead Display
Circa 2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising two spearheads, each with a split socket and leaf-shaped blade, shallow midribs. 429 grams total, spearheads: 21-28.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
In the Celtic world the spear was the primary weapon and symbol of a warrior. The Greek historian Strabo comments that the Celts carried two types of spear: a larger, heavier one for thrusting; and a smaller, lighter javelin that could be both thrown and used at closed quarters. -
Villanovan Bronze Helmet
8th century B.C.Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £4,444
With rounded bowl and flared rim; three sets of paired piercings for attachment of leather cheek-flaps; cracked. 1.7 kg, 30.5 cm wide
Bowl pierced and cracked.
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private European collection since 1998. 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 no.11573-199009.
The ‘pot’ or ‘bell’ helmet, found in contexts as early as the 8th century coffer grave (ad arca) from the Esquiline (Rome) and other graves (Coussin, 1926, p.88, fig.23; Sekunda, Northwood,1995, p.6, grave 94) was made from a single piece of bronze, while later Italic variants were fashioned from jointed plates (Connolly, 1981, p.102, figs.2-2a; Egg, 1988, p.223, variant Vetulonia). The skull was somewhat spherical, with a flared rim: in some Etruscan and Italic specimens, this was rivetted for strength.
