Viking Age Iron Socketted Bearded Axehead

Small and biconical in profile with narrow point; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 89 grams, 67 mm



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'.

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.

Comprising a slender single-edged blade with etched maritime designs; the hilt composed of a wire-bound ribbed bone handle, a lion-head pommel with inset eyes (one absent), and an ornate guard with folding edges, one side with a socket for securing the scabbard; accompanied by a leather scabbard with ornate metal fittings. 847 grams total, 93 cm



From the private collection of author and historian Dr DeWitt Bailey, one of the global authorities on the confederate army in the US civil war; thence by descent to his grandson.

Hammered from sheet-bronze, hemispherical dome with a seam at the front and back, the seams secured together with a series of pins, threaded through rivet holes; from the front, a repoussé ridge forming curved brows leading down towards a nasal decorated with four pellets; two small perforations above the right brow and a perforation on either side of the top section; two cheek guards present, a characteristic of the helmet’s type, attached to the helmet with hinges, allowing for easier wear and construction; the cheek-pieces rectangular in shape and curved at the back; a horizontal band of inverted triangles decorating the top of each cheek guard, each pierced towards the bottom, where an inner lining would have been attached, two curved cut-outs behind to accommodate ears; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.46 kg total, 48 cm including stand



Previously with the Parthenon Gallery, WC1, London, UK; acquired 2010. From the J.L. collection, Surrey, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12909-244364.

The Chalcidian helmet was a popular type of helmet in the Hellenistic world, particularly in the Greek-occupied region of southern Italy, during the 5th and 4th centuries. However, types have also been found from the mid-6th century BC. It was a lightweight progression from the Corinthian helmet and allowed the wearer better hearing and vision than its older, bulkier Corinthian counterparts. The term ‘Chalcidian’ originates from its frequent depiction on pottery once thought to have come from the Euboean city of Chalcis. This variant of the Chalcidian helmet, featuring hinged cheekplates, is also known as the Lucanian type, as it was used extensively in Lucania. This type of helmet was still in use by the time of Alexander the Great, particularly by the hoplites, heavy infantrymen, and is thought to have developed into the Attic helmet, used well into the Imperial Roman era.