Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1525

Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead

11TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.

6 1/8 in. (531 grams, 15.5 cm).

A hand-forged axehead with rectangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin, socket with rounded extensions to the rear. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Literature

Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate LII, items 12, 13, 14, 20, for similar typology.

Footnotes

The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade, sometimes perforated through the centre.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1525

Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead

Sold for (Inc. bp): £130

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Luristan Bronze Spearhead
    Luristan Bronze Spearhead
    2nd-1st millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £117

    With leaf-shaped blade, central rib and rounded shoulders, the lozenge-section shaft flared and the square-section tang with pointed tip. 357 grams, 39 cm



    Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Aramaic Inscribed Bronze Arrowhead
    Aramaic Inscribed Bronze Arrowhead
    1st millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £500

    Comprising a two-edged lentoid-section leaf-shaped blade and lozenge-section tang; each side with a short incised Aramaic inscription. 14 grams, 94 mm



    From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £111

    Cylindrical body with pointed tip and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 820 grams, 14 cm



    From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    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.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list