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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.
ProvenanceEx private collection of Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s.
Acquired from the above, 2004.
Cf. Hjardar, K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, pp.175-180.
FootnotesThe 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.
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Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Group
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising four large triangular-shaped arrowheads, each with a raised midrib. 129 grams total, 14-15.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Although different in shape, these four heads are apparently related types of a polythetic group. There are represented two basic deltoid forms: one has a sharp, flat blade, the ends of which extend to form wings or barbs, and a prominent midrib extending into a long tang that often has a stop; the blade shape varies from deltoid to more manifestly triangular. The other form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, it is narrow and leaf shaped. -
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Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger
Late 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
Featuring a wedge-shaped blade and a lobed handle; the hilt fitted with an iron plate bending down to form points on each side of the blade, pommel with a discoid brass plate decorated with an incised flower motif. 307 grams, 46 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
The term 'ballock dagger' was used in medieval times to describe a dagger with a grip bearing a considerable resemblance to a phallic symbol. It was also called 'kidney dagger' during the Victorian times. The constant characteristic is the presence of two roundish and symmetrical bulbs at the guard, with the grip itself emerging upward between them and flaring slightly towards the top, sometimes being surmounted by a cap. -
Large Luristan Arrowhead with Stand
14th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With triangular blade, having a barbed deltoid shape and a rounded projecting midrib tapering towards the sharp point, cylindrical stem and rectangular sectioned tang: accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 36 grams, 21.5 cm (140 grams total, 22.5 cm high including stand)
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
According to Khorasani, this type of arrowhead belongs to a subcategory of the category of type V of Luristan arrow points. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders and D with round shoulders.
