Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1511
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
CIRCA 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/8 in. (269 grams, 13.5 cm).
Broad blade with thickened edge, rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions. [No Reserve]
Provenance
Ex North American collection, 1970s.
CONDITIONVETTING:
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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Indian Iron Dagger with Green Glass Hilt
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Comprising a swept two-edged blade with ribbed central panel, bird-head pommel to the grip with incised rosette. 480 grams, 42 cm
Private collection, UK. -
Large Greek Socketted Iron Spearhead
Sarissa, circa 3rd-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Comprising a leaf-shaped lentoid-section blade and long tubular socket. 826 grams, 38.5 cm
Ex Hermann Historica, 7 October 2009, no.207 (Part). Private collection, Germany. Kept in the UK from 2016. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Rounded, undecorated body with a rounded base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 424 grams, 95 mm
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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.