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LOT 1046
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
10TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
6 3/4 in. (821 grams, 17 cm).
Finno-Ugrian iron forged with triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin and spur to the rear, socket with flanges to the rear. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
Cf. for similar axes Nicolle, D., 'Raiders of the Ice War' in Military Illustrated, March 1996, no.94, pp.26-29, fig.p.28; Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CX, item 44.
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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Amlash Bronze Spear Blade
12th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Leaf-shaped blade with pronounced midrib, square-section neck with flared ends and thick square-section tang. 299 grams, 26.7 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
The spearhead belongs to the type I of tripartite spears with broad mid-rib, reinforced shaft opening to reveal the tang and rounded shoulders. The blade with curved shoulders, a sharp point and a rectangular mid-rib. Stutzinger dated these pieces to 1200-1100 B.C. -
German Jager Set Trigger Percussion Rifle
1730-1830 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Converted from a flintlock of about 3/4" bore with lock modified having 77cm (30¾") rifled barrel swamped to muzzle with set and hair triggers, with full wood stock and shaped butt with patch compartment and sliding top and fitted with brass butt plate, trigger guard, ferrules and engraved side plates and a bone fore-end; the wood ramrod with bone tip; fitted with hinged sling loops; action working well to half cock, full cock and set. 3.70 kg, 116 cm
Acquired from M J Noble, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copy of an invoice and information.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent. -
Archaic Greek Modified Bronze Corinthian Helmet
Late 7th-early 6th century B.C.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,000
Consisting of two sections joined with bronze rivets; above a domed section with row of rivets; below, a folded band with rolled rim, with rivets to the rear holding two halves; line of holes to the base for securing an inner lining. 2.2 kg total, 31.5 cm high including stand
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex private Austrian collection. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by a metal analysis and appraisal by Dr Brian Gilmour. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11764-203980.
The upper part of the helmet was probably modified in antiquity, the lower part of the eye holes and the cheek pieces have been cut away, and replacement cheek pieces, now lacking, were once crudely rivetted to the sides.