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LOT 1443
Viking Age Iron Snaffle Horse Bit
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
8 1/2 in. (248 grams, 21.5 cm).
Articulated in the middle, with lateral bars and loop to each outer end. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an old Australian collection.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.33(2), for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Slingshot
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΥΔΑ'. 38.2 grams, 29 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
The leaden bullets, which were thrown from slings, were called molivdainai (μολύβδαιναι) in Greek, and in Latin glandes; the former indicating the material ‘lead’, the latter the shape ‘acorns’. These bullets were cast in a mould and bore letters or devices, or both. In form they were more like an almond than an acorn, but many were pointed at both ends; in size, they are generally about 1.5 inches in maximum length, and under 1 inch in maximum width. -
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Byzantine Decorated Bronze Archer's Thumb Ring
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Circular in section with triangular flange to one edge, incised ring-and-dot markings. 3.72 grams, 24.34 mm overall, 16.19 x 13.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F 1/2, USA 3, Europe 4.3, Japan 4)
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s. -
Very Large Finno-Ugrian Iron Socketted Spearhead
Circa 12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib extending to facetted-section tapering socket with fastening hole; professionally cleaned, conserved, and restored. 745 grams, 38.7 cm
Cleaned, conserved and restored.
From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.
The more common weapons of Finno-Ugrian people were axes commonly found from all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Among Baltic and Finnic people, especially in Finland and Karelia, knives called 'puukko' were common, as well as axes, spears, flat bows and longbows. Swords were usually imported from Germanic areas, Sweden, or from elsewhere in Scandinavia, some having often typically Scandinavian animal ornaments, although Finnish-made items have also been found.
