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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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Luristan Bronze Arrowhead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
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British Leather Fencing Helmet
Circa 1890-1920s A.D.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £83
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Acquired from Manfred Schotten Antiques, 2016. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of Manfred Schotten invoice and listing.
Although masks/helmets of this general form are typically associated with sword fencing, this example is of very heavy construction so possibly for use in protecting while training with a heavier weapon than a foil or epee.
