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LOT 1428
Viking Age Narrow Iron Axehead
CIRCA 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 in. (229 grams, 12.6 cm).
With triangular-section long blade extending to a socket with small lateral flanges and rectangular extension to the rear.
ProvenanceProperty of London businessman, from his grandfather's collection after WW2; thence by family descent.
From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue information page.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.V, item 23.
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
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Mongol Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the surface divided by four long grooves united at the bottom, and pattern like scales; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 474 grams, 14.3 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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'.
This piece was a sort of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations, even in Burma. -
Iron Age Celtiberian Dagger
Circa 2nd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Hand-forged with leaf-shaped blade and three pronounced midribs, rounded shoulder, stepped lower guard square-section tang, upper guard with stepped upper face. 186 grams, 37.5 cm
Ex Mayfair gallery, London, UK, before 1999. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue information page. -
Viking Age Iron Long Bearded Axehead
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
With broad curved blade and short spur beneath the chin, narrow neck, deep socket with extended edge to the reverse. 740 grams, 18 cm
From the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
The axe seems to be a variation of type IV of the Kirpichnikov classification of the Eastern Rus Axes typology. These axes appeared in the 10th century, and continued in the 10th-11th century.
