Loading, please wait...
LOT 1171
'The Repton' British Viking Iron Bearded Axehead
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 in. (464 grams, 15 cm).
Hand-forged with triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin, socket with rounded extensions to the rear. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound Repton, Nottingham, UK, in the 1960s.
Gary Edwards, York, UK.
Private collection, Preston, UK.
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and receipt from Gary Edwards, no.12386.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIV, item 3.
FootnotesThe bearded axehead were called skeggöks, in Norse language, and had a long edge designated to work split tree-trunks into planks and beams.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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.
-
Achaemenid Bronze Arrowhead Group
6th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Comprising 29 shafted trilobate and pyramidal points, some with barbs. 108 grams total, 23-36 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Persians used the bow to forge their empire. They would have used bronze or iron arrows of various types which varied in length from three to four centimetres. Many were trilobite in shape, varying from the simple triangular head, the leaf-shaped head or the triangular head with square-section, tang and directional plumes. The old types, created by the Luristan armourers, were still in use in the Achaemenid period. -
Pseudo-Illyrian Chalcidian Variant Bronze Helmet
4th-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,250
Large rounded two-part bowl rivetted beneath the repoussé crest extending across the brow and around the circumference; repoussé arches above the eyes extending to the nasal; lateral D-shaped cheek-pieces with scallop to the forward edge, pierced for a chin-strap; some restoration of the bowl; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 2.9 kg total, 48.5 cm high including stand
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. 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.11752-202771.
According both to Symonenko and Dedjulkin (2014, p.189, fig.9, nn.4-5-6), this category of helmets derived from the Chalcidian type with elements of pseudo-Illyrian variants. Like the Chalcidian helmets, our specimen shows vertical decorative lines on the bowl and the triangular brow decoration which characterises similar specimens. -
South German Burgonet Helm
Circa 1560-1570 A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,111
The one-piece skull rising to a prominent baluster-shaped finial, facetted upper half, the lower writhen projecting forward to flat obtusely pointed integral peak and backwards to a similar but shorter integral neck-guard, hinged cheek-pieces embossed with a star with four points, an auditory hole between each arm; fitted internally with a quilted canvas lining; with possible punched 'eagle' maker mark to visor projection. 1.54 kg, 24 cm high
with Thomas Del Mar Ltd, 6th December 2017, lot 199. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Thomas Del Mar Ltd catalogue pages and purchase invoice. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11770-203982.
Most original burgonets feature some form of decoration. Rolled and roped edges and pierced cheek-pieces are common, and the finest burgonets were engraved, inlaid and/or selectively coloured and polished. Some were covered in fine cloth in the tradition of sallets. The name seems to be a corrupted form of bourguignotte, the contemporary French term for this helmet type.