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LOT 0302
Viking Age Bronze Lower Sword Guard with Dragons
11TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (124 grams, 10 cm).
Sloping shoulders and transverse slot to the upper face, lateral beast-head terminals; panel of palmette ornament to each broad face with tendrils, dentilled lower edge; Baltic Curonian type.
ProvenanceFrom the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century.
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 a search certificate number no.12727-236128.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Tomsens, A., Symbolism of Medieval Swords from the Territory of Latvia During the 11th-13th Centuries, Lodz, 2013, pp.145-161, nos.2,3,7.
FootnotesThe cross guard finds good parallels with Baltic swords used by Prussian, Curonian, Estonian and Lithuanian pagan warriors; see a clear parallel in Tomsons, 2012, fig.2,7 but especially fig. 3. The Curonian Type T swords were thoroughly examined by Tomsons and he was able to date the type to the 11th to 13th centuries.
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LOT 0302
Viking Age Bronze Lower Sword Guard with Dragons
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
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Viking Socketted Iron Spearhead
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Leaf-shaped blade and tapering, round-section socket, pierced for attachment to a shaft; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 162 grams, 22 cm long (229 grams total including stand)
Fair condition.
UK gallery, acquired in the 2000s. Property of an English gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Post Medieval Iron Dagger with Bronze Hilt
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Comprising a triangular two-edged blade with median chamfer, ricasso at the rear, quillons formed as two vertical rings on short arms, wooden grip with most of the hatched mounting ring, rectangular pommel with raised panel to each face. 276 grams, 42.2 cm
Previously acquired at a UK auction in the 1990s. Acquired from an Oxfordshire antiques centre. Property of a Berkshire, UK, collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Swords and daggers with a square pommel became fashionable in the early 16th century, a Central European fashion. The edges of the present weapon do not ever appear to have been sharpened, so this may have been a parade-piece. -
Viking Age Iron Sword Decorated Hilt
11th-13h century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,720
Double-edged cutting sword of Couronian type with tapering fullers, bronze cross-guard with Jellinge Style type decoration; five-lobed bronze pommel rivetted at the top. 814 grams, 88 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. 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.12784-240320. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The Couronian swords of this type with animal head decoration were widespread and used in the Eastern Baltic lands from 10th to 13th century.