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LOT 0263
Viking Age Iron Sword with Five-Lobed Pommel
10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
34 1/2 in. (1.3 kg, 87.5 cm).
Of Petersen Type S variant with a double-edged blade, shallow fullers and a rounded point; boat-shaped upper and lower guard with some remains of silver inlay, the pommel also showing traces of silver decoration.
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
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.11756 - 202774.
Cf. Hjardar, K. & Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, p.169, for the type; the sword finds good parallels in various similar Viking age specimens, like the sword from Mixnam’s pit, Chertsey, today at the Chertsey Museum (Peirce, 2002, pp.98ff.).
FootnotesViking swords of Type S are commonly found in Nordic countries and in Eastern Europe, with only a small number found in Western Europe. The type was often characterised by splendid decoration achieved with silver and copper inlays, of which here some traces are still visible.
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Roman Marble Ballista Catapult Shot
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Suitable for use with an onager or other catapult-type siege weapon; with smooth, finished surface. 2.13 kg, 11.5 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The operation of the onager (Latin for 'wild ass') is first mentioned in 353 A.D. by Ammianus Marcellinus in his Res Gestae and more fully in Vegetius's Epitoma Rei Militaris probably written in the reign of Emperor Theodosius I (378-395 A.D.). -
Medieval Iron Spear Group
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
With conical sockets, one with foliate head, the other with long triangular head. 480 grams total, 27.5-35 cm
UK private collection, 1990s. Acquired from a provincial auction.
The spear was one of the many weapons of infantrymen and peasants during the Middle Ages. Götz von Berlichingen, who in 15th century A.D. was appointed as the leader of the peasants revolting against the noblemen, was recorded saying that ‘I beheld myself, suddenly encompassed with muskets, spears, and halberds, pointed at me. They cried that I should be their captain, in whether I would or not’. -
Byzantine Ceramic 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £163
Composed of a piriform body with 'feather' design and eccentrically placed domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, and used as a hand grenade; chipped foot. 613 grams, 17 cm
Collected before 1970. Ex gallery of C.M., UK. 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
