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LOT 0306
Viking Age Iron 'Gotland Type' Axe Head
CIRCA 9TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/2 in. (635 grams, 16.5 cm).
With curved blade and trefoil-shaped chin to the lower edge, round socket with triangular flanges to the upper edge and trefoil-shaped flanges to the lower face.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
LiteratureCf. similar specimen in the Swedish Historical Museum, inventory no.120502_HST, found in a field at Rommunds, Gammelgarn Parish, Gotland; cf. also Hjardar, K. & Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, p.161, for a similar example in the typology of decorated axes.
FootnotesThe axe head was made in a particular shape showing elements of plant ornamentation and it may have been used both as a battle axe and working axe. Most men were farmers or labourers on a farm and rarely carried a weapon other than a knife and an axe. Nevertheless, battle, the hunt and the ability to ride were important elements of what constituted the ideal Viking man.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body decorated with radiating vertical bands with deeply incised dots; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 435 grams, 11.1 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. -
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Comprising four socketted arrowheads, mainly triangular or foliate in section, trilobate and with short socket, one with holes for the application of incendiary material; two with barbs. 25 grams total, 33-38 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
In Greek warfare archery was mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans for longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. -
Large Bronze Age Shield Boss
8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A hammered discoid shield raised from a single sheet, displaying a central conoid boss; two pairs of circular piercings to the perimeter. 297 grams, 26.5 cm wide
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
These kind of shields, of small dimensions, were used by infantry or horse-archers of Luristan and neighbouring cultures (Elamites, Zagros Tribesmen, like Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, Assyrians), as well as by Urartu, West-Iranian and Northern Caucasian civilisations around the Caspian Sea. The bronze boss was probably attached to a leather and wooden background.
