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LOT 1410
'The Farnham Castle' English Medieval Socketted Macehead
13TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/8 in. (312 grams, 80 mm).
With a long tubular socket and raised circumferential ribs, three tiers of radiating spikes; found with remains of wooden haft in situ. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound near Farnham Castle, Farnham, Surrey, UK.
From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Gilliot, C., Weapons and Armours, Bayeux, 2008, pp.160-161, for similar maceheads.
FootnotesMaces were in use since the Bronze Age. In the Medieval Western Europe, maces are attested in England as throwing weapons at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. At the end of 12th century A.D., the mace head was made of metal and was, under the influence of Byzantium, one of the weapons of the armoured knight. Originally of round section and armed with strong pyramidal spikes, the mace head evolved into a cylindrical shape, sometimes reinforced with spikes, most often with flanges.
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LOT 1410
'The Farnham Castle' English Medieval Socketted Macehead
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,600
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Luristan Sar-e Gorz Bronze Macehead
14th-13th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With plain globular body, extended to a small raised ring encircling the top of the mace-head, circular short shaft expanding to a circular flat base. 279 grams, 70 mm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Caucasian stone and bronze maces were distinguished by modestly finished, clean processed and predominantly close-to-ball shapes (with a variety of surface finishing, ranging from the smooth, ribbed, lobular forms to the rounded with protrusions and spikes), and the Western Iranian maces, especially the Luristan ones, notable for the variety of different forms. Similar mace-heads, probably realised in Luristan, decorated the head of the sceptres of Assyrian kings like Tukulti-Ninurta I (1243-1207 B.C.). -
Large North-West Persian Bronze Sword Blade
11th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £211
With prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 460 grams, 52 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. Their chronology ranges from late 2nd millennium B.C. to 7th century B.C. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Barbed Arrowhead
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Triangular in plan with raised central midrib and tapering lugs below, square socket and circular horizontal piercing through the body above. 24.7 grams, 63 mm
On the European art market before 2000. Ex collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman; acquired on the UK art market.