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LOT 1479
Very Large Finno-Ugrian Iron Socketted Spearhead
CIRCA 12TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
15 1/4 in. (745 grams, 38.7 cm).
Leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib extending to facetted-section tapering socket with fastening hole; professionally cleaned, conserved, and restored. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.
LiteratureCf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate XLII, no.26, for a similar spear-head.
FootnotesThe more common weapons of Finno-Ugrian people were axes commonly found from all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Among Baltic and Finnic people, especially in Finland and Karelia, knives called 'puukko' were common, as well as axes, spears, flat bows and longbows. Swords were usually imported from Germanic areas, Sweden, or from elsewhere in Scandinavia, some having often typically Scandinavian animal ornaments, although Finnish-made items have also been found.
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Viking Age Iron Socketted Bearded Axehead
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
Finely curved broad blade with chin to the lower edge, rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions and a rectangular extension to the rear; professionally cleaned, conserved, and restored. 632 grams, 19 cm
Cleaned, conserved and restored.
From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.
This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the E2 category of the Viking axe classification, but also has affinity with the Slavic type of axes Y. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such a 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter. -
Kriegsmarine WWI German Naval Officer's Sword
Early 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Comprising a slender single-edged blade; the hilt composed of a wire-bound ribbed bone handle, a lion-head pommel with inset eyes (one absent), and an ornate guard with a folding edge to one side. 612 grams, 94.5 cm
From the private collection of author and historian Dr DeWitt Bailey, one of the global authorities on the confederate army in the US civil war; thence by descent to his grandson. -
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Elamite Decorated Bronze Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
With a crescentic blade, ornamental curved edging to the upper shaft hole, a collar to the lower shaft hole, raised band around the edge of the blade. 330 grams, 11.6 cm
French collection, 1980s. Acquired on the London art market. Private collection, London, UK.
