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LOT 0278
South German Burgonet Helm
CIRCA 1580-1610 A.D.
11 1/2 in. (1.7 kg, 29 cm).
The rounded two-piece skull joined along the crest with a high medial comb, internally fitted with a quilted canvas lining sewn to a leather lining-band, the brow with a fixed rounded peak, outward-flanged rear edge with a matching one-piece neck guard, hinged cheek-pieces flanged outwards at the lower edge to serve as a continuation of the neck-guard.
Provenancewith Thomas Del Mar Ltd, 7th December 2017, lot 542.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of the Thomas Del Mar invoice.
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.11762-203983.
Cf. Mauro, M., Armeria della Rocca, mostra di armi antiche, Ancona, 1989, p.94, no.15; Hayward, J., L’armeria del Castello di Monselice, Venezia, 1980, p.37, no.25, pl.22.
FootnotesThe burgonet (Italian borgognotta) had developed at the beginning of the 16th century from the sallet and soon became a very popular helmet worn in many parts of Europe (especially in Germany and Northern Italy) by infantry and later cavalry units. A clear advantage of this helmet was the unifying a good protective function against cut and thrust weapons with a unhindered field of sight, good ventilation and user comfort due to the small weight and the fact it could be worn independently without an armour.
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AUCTIONS:
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Greek Bronze Illyrian Helmet
6th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £8,333
Of domed Illyrian typology IIIA, variant 3, raised from a single sheet with protective cheek-pieces, two parallel corrugated raised ridges to the upper face, running over the crown from front to back, square-cut frontal opening with smooth edges, short curved rear flange developing from behind towards the forward curving cheek-protectors, the latter having two holes at the extremities for the fastening of a chin-strap; button pin at the centre of the back for attachment of a crest, pierced hole in the front for the corresponding pin. 2.7 kg total, 31 cm high including stand
Ex Mr G. Grimm collection. Acquired from a French auction house. Ex important London gallery. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. 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.10194-167379.
This helmet was probably fitted with a high crest, attached with animal glue and composed of horsehair. It was positioned inside a holder worn between the raised ridges and fastened to the front and back pins, one of them still visible. The recent finds of Illyrian helmets without reinforced edges have suggested that the variants of this typology of helmet could have evolved as their own group, during the late period of its employment (from mid 6th to 4th century B.C.). The earlier specimens have been found in Olympia and Trebeniste (North Macedonia), although the neck protection of these helmets was still in the style of archaic Illyrian types. The helmets from Sindos introduced the characteristics of such late evolution. The diffusion of this typology shows that it was preferred by Macedonian warriors, by the Illyrian fighters and by the Greeks in Sicily and Peloponnesos, considering that the finds are concentrated in the corresponding areas. -
Evans Transitional 34-Shot Musket
1866-1867 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,404
By Evans Repeating Co, with 71 cm (28") round barrel with 34 shot tubular magazine in butt and hinged back-sight, two-piece wood stock with steel butt plate, sling swivels, and collars; action working well and believed only 150 made. 3.85 kg, 117 cm
Acquired from M J Noble Ltd, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copies of the purchase invoice and listing.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Of squat piriform shape with shallow vertical dashes decorating the upper body, stamped triangles above and below. 579 grams, 10.4 cm
Family collection, acquired 1980-2015. Ex property of a North London gentleman. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.