Loading, please wait...
LOT 0261
Viking Age Iron Sword of Petersen Type X
10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
36 1/2 in. (1.2 kg, 92.5 cm).
Comprising a fine double-edged tapering blade, shallow fullers and defined cutting edges showing traces of employment; short, rectangular-section lower guard and tapering tang, tea-cosy pommel of early type; some restoration.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Rudolph Lepke's Kunst-Auctions-Haus, 1384, Waffen-und Kunst-Sammlung Karl Gimbel, Baden-Baden, 1904, no.330; Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo, 1919; Oakeshott, E., Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge, 1991; Renaud, J., Les Vikings en France, Rennes, 2000; Roesdahl, E., Wilson D.M., From Viking to Crusader: The Scandinavians and Europe 800 to 1200 (22nd Council of Europe Exhibition), Copenhagen, 1992; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002.
FootnotesThe sword is Petersen type X (Petersen, 1919, pp.158ff) and Oakeshott type XI (1991, pp.53ff.), finding good parallels in various similar Viking and Norman age specimens (Peirce, 2002, pp.115 ff.). The overall proportions of our specimen are eye-catching and it is strikingly similar to a pattern-welded sword found with a large number of other objects, at Camp de Péran, Côtes-d'Armor, France, in a 10th century context, probably linked with the early Norman settlers in Normandy or Norman raids in Brittany (Roesdhal, Wilson, 1992, p.321, cat. n.359; Renaud, 2000, p.100).
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:
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.
-
.jpg)
Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger with Stone Pommel
3rd millenium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with broad midrib to both faces, square-section tang and pommel with discoid bronze top displaying a stylised floral or geometric motif with parallel pairs of lines radiating from the centre and a pellet in each segment. 693 grams, 42 cm
Ex old English collection. Acquired from Timeline Originals, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
This type of daggers include lanceolate blades with a pronounced piercing and cutting function, often reinforced with a convex stiffening rib or fullers that follow the contour of the blade (Gorelik, 2003, pls. IV, 15-21, 23-25). It is commonly believed that the fullers were designed to drain blood, but this is a misconception; their purpose is to increase the strength of the blade and reduce its weight. -
.jpg)
Roman Bronze Armour Squama Scales Group
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Mixed group of semi-rigid bronze scales with scalloped lower edges, pierced for attachment; together with two small panels of articulated lamina scales. 30 grams total, 10-65 mm
Acquired in the late 1980s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
A new form of rigid scale-armour, typified by pieces found in Britannia (Corbridge, Carlisle), Pannonia (Musov), Moesia (Iron Gates) and in various other provinces of the empire, was introduced earlier in the Antonine Period, and continued for all of the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. The new body protection was realised with scales attached by wire to each of their four neighbouring scales. These new scales tended to be not only very small, but also long and slender and needed to be carefully shaped around the neck. -
Post Medieval Iron Axehead with Maker's Marks
16th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
Stamped to one cheek; triangular socket, hammer-shaped back. 2.1 kg, 23 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
