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LOT 1363
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
9TH CENTURY A.D.
7 1/4 in. (758 grams, 18.5 cm).
With triangular section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin, lateral flanges to the socket.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
LiteratureCf. Hjardar, K. & Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, p.163, for the typology of Viking axes, letter B.
FootnotesThe axe belongs to a category of bearded axes. The skeggöks (bearded axes) had a long edge, designed to split tree-trunks into planks and beams. Usually the beard was at the bottom end of the blade, but some axes did sometimes have extra long blades.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Piriform body with segmented shoulder and impressed roundels, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 420 grams, 10.8 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Marlik Type Bronze Tanged Spearhead
12th-11th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With heavily ridged and tapering blade, short collared shaft and a square-section tapering tang bent at the tip. 159 grams, 31.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The weapon belongs to type I of the Khorasani classification. Similar weapons have been excavated in Marlilk by Professor Negahban and dated by Stutzinger to the late 13th-early 12th century B.C. -
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Medieval 'Thames' Iron Dagger with Wood Handle
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Sturdy single-edged triangular whittle-tang blade with thick back; with reproduction wooden handle. 137 grams, 34 cm
Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK, circa 1984. Property of an Essex collector.
