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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
-
Carolingian Iron Spur with Silver Studs
Circa 8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
With D-section arms, attachment loop, prick spur with two bands of applied studs. 150 grams, 18 cm
Ex B Posey collection, 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card. -
Lead Musket Ball Collection
17th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Group of ninty-nine lead musket and pistol balls. 2.08 kg total, 12-18 mm
UK gallery, early 2000s. -
Elamite Bronze Cudgel with Animals
Circa mid 3rd-early 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
With ribbed terminals; the upper body with three relief panels of herringbone design, the main body decorated with spikes, three lion bodies arranged vertically, and three ram-head protomes under the central herringbone panel; mounted on a custom-made stand. 650 grams total, 18.5 cm high (26.5 cm high including stand)
Ex Kuizenga collection, Netherlands. Acquired in Hamburg, Germany, 22 December 1995.
Moorey notes that though the rows of spikes suggest that these objects were designed to be mounted on wooden shafts as cudgels, the projections in the form of lions (?) indicates the possibility that they were also used as votive or parade weapons. However, it does not exclude an effective use on the battlefield, especially if used by commanders as signs of rank.
