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LOT 1381
Viking Age Bearded Iron Axehead
11TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/4 in. (698 grams, 15.5 cm).
With broad curved blade and pointed chin, broad neck, deep socket with lateral flanges. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
LiteratureCf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIV, item 10.
FootnotesDuring the mid 13th century, the axes were favourite weapons among Baltic people. For instance the Curonian army included lightly armed soldiers who fought with spears, shields, fighting knives and axes. A heavily armed soldier could also carry a sword, a helmet, a shield and a wide-bladed axe.
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AUCTIONS:
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Viking Age Baltic Bearded Iron Axehead
12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With short curved blade and spur beneath the chin, narrow neck, deep socket with extended edges to the reverse. 360 grams, 12 cm
From the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
The Curonians were known as fierce warriors and sailors who were involved in several wars and alliances with the Swedish, Danish and Icelandic Vikings. Baltic tribes created an original and impressive set of weaponry. They included battle knives, battle axes and spears and javelins with medium sized heads of a characteristic shape. -
Bactrian Bronze Eye Axehead
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Fan-shaped blade; an apotropaic eye in relief to each side of the socket; wing-shaped extension to the rear. 327 grams, 16 cm
From an old London, UK, collection. Ex London, UK, gallery.
Most of these axes are believed to have originated in Bactria, but some objects come from well documented contexts in Margiane (Gonur), Lut (Shahdad) and Kermanshah (Khinaman). According to Gernez they were made for ceremonial use. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform body with impressed panels and roundels to the shoulder, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 415 grams, 10.7 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
