Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1054

Viking Age Socketted Iron Spearhead

9TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.

11 1/4 in. (126 grams, 28.5 cm).

Type E with leaf-shaped blade with curved edges, socket tending towards a square internal cross-section and decorated with chiselled longitudinal grooves.

Provenance

Ex private collection of Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s.
Acquired from the above, 2004.

Literature

Cf. Hjardar, K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, pp.175-180.

Footnotes

The spearheads of type E, of which this type is, belongs to the first group of Viking spearheads, i.e. the Frankish spearheads, which appeared between 750 and 950 A.D. These account for one third of the spears found in Viking sites; most of them are pattern forged with herringbone design.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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.

LOT 1054

Viking Age Socketted Iron Spearhead

Sold for (Inc. bp): £195

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Chinese Bronze Military Flag or Banner Finial
    Chinese Bronze Military Flag or Banner Finial
    Circa 5th-3rd century B.C. or later

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £468

    Composed of a socketted blade divided into six sections with sharp grooves, the shaft with four circumferential bands. 873 grams, 34 cm



    Ex old English collection. London art market, pre 2000. Property of a London, UK, gentleman.

    The Chinese, having adopted the use of chariot from the west, judging by the monuments and literature used it primarily for archery combat, as evidenced by the absence of spearheads in chariot burials of the Yin Kingdom. But already from the early Zhou Dynasty chariot warriors used a spear. Massive Yin spears were the weapon of dense infantry formations. The shape of our specimen, probably used as standard finial, recalls that of a spear from Zhongzhoulu, Luoyang, Prov. Henan, dated at the 5th-4th centuries B.C., and of two spears from the Zheng fortress of Xinzheng Country, dated to the 4th-3rd century B.C.

    Lot Details

  • Iron Age Celtic La Tene Dagger
    Iron Age Celtic La Tene Dagger
    1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £975

    Featuring a gently curved single-edged iron blade and one-sided fuller, curved handle with knot pommel; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 525 grams total, 35 cm high including stand



    Dutch art market. Private collection of K.S., Cologne, Germany, acquired 1996.

    One of the military insignia of a Celtic warrior was the war-knife, usually between 33 and 35 cm long. For example, in the collection of Celtic military equipment from Galish-Lovachka, the archaeologists have found a short sword with an X-shaped handle (l = 41 cm), two middle La Tène swords (72.5 and 75 cm long), 12 large curved knives, 27 spearheads, two javelin heads, 14 arrowheads, and nine iron chain belts for hanging a sword. The war-knife was also used for hunting, as a spare weapon, or to cut the throat of an enemy in a surprise attack.

    Lot Details

  • Tudor Period Iron Dagger
    Tudor Period Iron Dagger
    16th century A.D. or later

    Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £40

    Comprising a single cutting edge and tang. 155 grams, 28.5 cm



    Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list