Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
_200x200.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
_900x900.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
_200x200.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
_900x900.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
_200x200.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
.jpg "Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays")
LOT 0272
Viking Battle Axe Head with Silver Inlays
NORTHERN EUROPE, 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/4 in. (10 1/4 in.) (390 grams, 15.7 cm (813 grams total, 26.2 cm high including stand)).
With short, cylindrical socket to rear, narrow neck, flared blade with curved cutting edge; underside of the blade swept in a gentle curve; short flanges above and below the rear of the socket; decorated overall with finely engraved silver inlays forming two dragons and interlace patterns (probably not original); provided with a display stand.
ProvenanceAcquired 1982 in Kaliningrad and transported to Riga in 1986, moved to East Berlin in 1988, and again to Germany in 2000, then UK in 2014.
Ex West London collection.
Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00141022.
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.12476-228759.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.V (20), for type; Hjardar, K. & Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, p.163Y, for typology; Salin, B., Die Altgermanische Thierornamentik, Stockholm, 1935, for discussion about the ornaments.
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
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.
-
Bactrian Bronze 'Eye' Type Axehead
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
With a swept unsharpened blade, lentoid socket with ribbed collars and raised eye motif to each side. 154 grams, 13 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Byzantine Iron Bearded Axehead with Spike
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Double-edged battle axe with broad trapezoidal blade elongated towards the bottom, with rhomboidal and blunt fixing hole shaft, the opposite end formed by a long and thick spike. 411 grams, 22.7 cm
Ex USA private collection, 1970s-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The double-edged axe was used by the Roman cavalry between the 9th and 11th centuries. The correspondence of this example with the types described by Emperor Leo VI the Wise, is surprising: it is clear that this typology was not a working tool but a war axe, suitable for breaking helmets, breastplates, shields and skulls since it inflicted devastating blows to the head and arms by damaging the protective equipment. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
A piriform missile decorated with a band of annulets and chevrons, domed filler hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 406 grams, 12.2 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. 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 lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
