Viking Age and Later Iron Axehead Group

Of Oakeshott type XVIIIa or b with a strongly tapering blade of flattened diamond-section without fullers; the lower guard gently curving towards the blade, long grip; pommel of style T1 in the form of a truncated wedge. 1.35 kg, 1.07 m



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 searcher certificate number no.11759-202773.

From the right side of the face mask, the upper edge with a band of embossed diagonal lines, probably intending to represent stylised hair, embossed spiral to the centre, a symbol clearly connected with the worship of the sun; a hole for the fastening thongs at ear-level which originally linked the face-guard to the bowl. 75 grams, 13 cm high



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

The spiral decoration of the face-guard is connected with the solar cult. The spiral represents the rotary movement of the sun, and the spiral is probably the oldest known spiritual symbol connected with the sun, together with the swastika or tetragammadion. The connection can also be seen in Celtic art, where the representation of the spiral also follows the path of the sun, describing the movements of the heavenly body over the course of a solar year. The third century was characterised by diffusion of the solar cult, the Sol Invictus, among the Roman soldiers, with its symbols often represented on arms and weapons as an apotropaic element of protection.

Aluminium rotating bodied vertical trench periscope with camouflage finish, marked 'GT=6 / MICRO:GRADES' to one side and M.G. / No.34185' to other, fitted with hinged wood handle; including original leather case with loops for belt/webbing. 1.36 kg, 40 cm



The Kusmirek Collection, UK.