Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead

Long-barrelled (101cm) and slightly flared to an octagonal muzzle, bound to wood stock with six brass bands; with percussion lock (working order); fitted with iron butt plate and brass trigger guard; numbered 'D22/81' to side of butt; with a steel ramrod to underside of barrel (end ferrule of slot absent); probably native workmanship, copying European type. 4.50 kg, 150 cm overall



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

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.

Large rounded two-part bowl rivetted beneath the repoussé crest extending across the brow and around the circumference; repoussé arches above the eyes extending to the nasal; lateral D-shaped cheek-pieces with scallop to the forward edge, pierced for a chin-strap; some restoration of the bowl and one cheek-piece; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.7 kg total, 48 cm high including stand



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 search certificate number no.11751-202770.

According both to Symonenko and Dedjulkin (2014, p.189, fig.9, nn.4-5-6), this category of helmet derives from Chalcidian types (with pseudo-Illyrian elements). As with Chalcidian helmets, our specimen shows vertical decorative lines on the bowl and triangular brow ornament. Distinct from Attic types, it does not have a protruding neck guard introduced on variant III of such helmets (Symonenko, 2014, fig. 15,2-3). According to Dedjulkin, these helmets derive from Greek prototypes, but are simplifications of the original models and made by local artisans. They were widely worn by mercenaries in the Hellenised armies of Pontus and other Hellenistic kingdoms across the Eastern Mediterranean.

The group comprising various types of tanged arrowheads, including barbed and leaf-shaped examples. 175 grams total, 8.1-10.5 cm



Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector.