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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:
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Luristan Decorated Bronze Axehead
Circa 12th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Wedge-shaped blade and a cylindrical socket with collared base and an upper face of stylised zoomorphic form, possibly representing a moufflon with jutting muzzle and horns above represented by a single scroll; the blade long, with a slightly convex blunt edge. 236 grams, 14.1 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. Ex TimesAncient, Bristol, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue entry. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The moufflon is a regularly used symbol in Luristan art. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Piriform in profile with stepped shoulder and domed mouth. impressed cord motifs. 826 grams, 13.5 cm
From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 1990s. 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.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
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North-Western Persian Type Bronze Blade
Early 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £44
With tapering triangular blade, having straight shoulders, flat midrib and tapering square-sectioned tang ending with a rounded pommel. 99 grams, 33 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.
Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons not greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length.
