Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead

Over and under turnover rifle with 82cm (32¼") barrel with brass insert inscribed 'D Kornman' to top, double set trigger, fitted with one (of two) ramrod in brass ferrules at side and characteristically curved wood stock with brass butt and side plates, trigger guard and patch container with hinged lid; left of stock with inset silver(?) of a fish or whale which might suggest that this was carried on a whaling ship; action working. 4.10 kg, 124 cm



Acquired from Andrew Spencer Bottomley, UK, 2016. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copies of the purchase invoice and listing.

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.

Of domed Illyrian typology IIIA, variant 3, raised from a single sheet with protective cheek-pieces, two parallel corrugated raised ridges to the upper face, running over the crown from front to back, square-cut frontal opening with smooth edges, short curved rear flange developing from behind towards the forward curving cheek-protectors, the latter having two holes at the extremities for the fastening of a chin-strap; button pin at the centre of the back for attachment of a crest, pierced hole in the front for the corresponding pin. 2.7 kg total, 31 cm high including stand



Ex Mr G. Grimm collection. Acquired from a French auction house. Ex important London gallery. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. 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.10194-167379.

This helmet was probably fitted with a high crest, attached with animal glue and composed of horsehair. It was positioned inside a holder worn between the raised ridges and fastened to the front and back pins, one of them still visible. The recent finds of Illyrian helmets without reinforced edges have suggested that the variants of this typology of helmet could have evolved as their own group, during the late period of its employment (from mid 6th to 4th century B.C.). The earlier specimens have been found in Olympia and Trebeniste (North Macedonia), although the neck protection of these helmets was still in the style of archaic Illyrian types. The helmets from Sindos introduced the characteristics of such late evolution. The diffusion of this typology shows that it was preferred by Macedonian warriors, by the Illyrian fighters and by the Greeks in Sicily and Peloponnesos, considering that the finds are concentrated in the corresponding areas.

Composed of a tapering wooden blunt-tipped shaft, waisted grip with raised ribs and 'button' terminal. 309 grams, 43 cm



The Kusmirek Collection, UK.