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LOT 0259
Viking Age Bronze Sword Scabbard Chape Collection
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
21/8 - 3 3/8 in. (145 grams total, 55-85 mm).
Comprising: one heater-shaped with openwork raven motif to each face; one similar with openwork raven enmeshed in tendrils; one with fleur-de-lys to the centre of each upper edge and a lobed spur to each side; one with openwork quatrefoil to each face and knop finial to the apex. [4]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Paulsen, P., Schwertortbänder der Wikingerzeit, Stuttgart, 1953, items 6, 31, 74, 177, for types.
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:
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LOT 0259
Viking Age Bronze Sword Scabbard Chape Collection
Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
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Roman Bronze Military Mask Helmet Section
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
From the upper part of the right side of the face mask, the upper edge with a band of embossed curved lines, probably representing stylised hairs, intertwined with laurel crown; embossed image of advancing Mars, the god of war, to the centre, depicted nude with military sagum, a pseudo-Corinthian helmet to the head and carrying a circular shield. 55 grams, 17 cm wide
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
In the decorative patterns of Roman helmets, Mars was among the most revered deities in the Imperial army. After Jupiter, he was the most aristocratic god of the old Italic religion, master of armament, who governed military service (militiae potens) and oversaw the training ground, for which he was named Campester. The emperor Augustus named him Ultor (‘Avenger’) and dedicated to him a luxurious temple in the centre of the forum in gratitude for his victory over the murderers of Caesar and, in addition, granted to him the privileges of the Capitoline Jupiter. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Spearhead
Circa 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Triangular profile with projecting midribs, round shank with raised collar above the square-section tapered tang. 186 grams, 28.5 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
This variant of the tripartite spear is characterised by a rhomboidal or swollen section blade, often with a short intermediate part widened so as to form a clean stop and with a curved tang, sometimes ending in a button (here unfortunately missing). Most spears have medium dimensions (23 cm to 36 cm), but others are elongated (more than 50 cm). -
Greek Bronze Socketted Spear with Iron Head
12th-10th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With foliate head and short tubular socketted shaft. 119 grams, 15 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
Snodgrass assigns the Athenian iron spearheads to the type A, i.e. spearheads with a leaf-shaped blade, a long socket and a midrib running to the tip. The bronze ones were assigned to typologies C – small, with a leaf-shaped blade (like the present specimen) - and D – with the socket as long as the blade, rounded shoulders and pronounced midrib. Both socket types were beaten round a cylindrical bar, a conservative method to produce bronze sockets even if the head was in iron.
