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LOT 1366
Viking Iron Bearded Axehead
CIRCA 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 7/8 in. (470 grams, 15 cm).
With scooped socket flanked by lateral wings, broad blade with chin and spur to the lower edge; possibly Baltic workmanship. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
LiteratureCf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.V, item 18.
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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Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With narrow pointed blade and wide raised flange down centre, straight sides, well marked shoulders with wide tang, one upper hole for rivet. 149 grams total, 21 cm high including stand
From the possessions of a member of a German princely family, gathered in the late 19th century, until the 1930s. with Auction House CUSP, Vienna, Auction Antique Art from Asia and from the Eastern Mediterranean, 16 June 2012, lot 75 [Part].
The type was technically more advanced than previous types of blades in the Near East due to its shape and its slightly convex sides widening out near the point, which combined the advantages of the leaf-shaped and straight-sided forms. -
Hellenistic Rhodian Lead Slingshot with Scorpion
3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Lentoid-section and depicting a stylised scorpion to one side and inscription 'ΚΑΛΑ' on the other. 26 grams, 31 mm
Ex Cummings collection, UK, 1990s.
Together with the Balearic slingers, Rhodian slingers were considered to be the best of the Hellenistic world, and they were also used in the Roman army. The slingshots with an image of a scorpion on one side and with an inscription ΚΑΛΑ on the other are believed to originate from the Island of Rhodes. On these sling bullets ΚΑΛΑ should be translated as “nice things.” Of course, ironically, these “nice things” were designed to kill enemies and to sting like a scorpion, and the message of those with the image of a scorpion could be understood, as proposed ny M. Manov and N. Torbov, as: “nice things sting like a scorpion.” -
Viking Age Narrow Iron Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With triangular-section long blade extending to a socket with small lateral flanges and rectangular extension to the rear. 229 grams, 12.6 cm
Property 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.
