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LOT 0324
Viking Iron Sword of Petersen Type L
10TH CENTURY A.D.
34 in. (775 grams, 86.5 cm).
Double-edged cutting sword with tapering blade showing battle nicks along the length, tapering fullers showing shallow traces of pattern-welding, long tang, a boat-shaped lower guard and a three-lobed pommel.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
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.13261-254356.
Cf. Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo,1919, p.112ff.; Wilson, D., W. ‘Some Neglected Late Anglo-Saxon Swords,’ in Medieval Archaeology, 1965, pp.32-54; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002; Żabiński, G., ‘Viking Age Swords from Scotland’, in Acta Militaria Mediaevalia III, Kraków, Sanok, 2007, pp.29–84; the sword finds parallels in various similar Viking age specimens of L variant; two very similar swords, both preserved at the British Museum, have been published by Peirce (2002, pp.77-81); similar boat-shaped guard and five-lobed pommel are visible on a sword from Mileham, Norfolk (Castle Museum, Norwich: inv. no. 2IO.949, see Wilson, 1965, pl.VI) the blade of which is pattern-welded.
FootnotesThis type, considered as Anglo-Saxon in origin, is usually dated to 850-975 A.D., and is considered to form a distinctive group of Viking Age swords. Although used by the Vikings, it is probable that these swords were of English manufacture or inspiration. Swords of Type L are remarkable for their crosspieces and pommel bases curved away from the grip and lobed pommels.
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Current Winning Bid: £100
With an ovate blade, prominent central rib and rounded shoulders, square-section shaft with flared lateral spurs forming a collar, rectangular tang with narrow tip. 347 grams, 29.6 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s. -
London Proofed Percussion Revolver
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A double-action nickel-plated 5-shot percussion revolver with numbered chambers; the chambers and barrel bearing London proofmarks and the barrel numbered '2'; the frame with foliate engraving and fitted with chequered wood grip scales with hinged steel loading lever; action in working order. 480 grams, 18 cm
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Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. -
Greek Mauritanian Kingdom Lead Slingshot of King Mastanesosus
Circa 80-49 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Lentoid in form with raised legend to obverse 'REX·SOS'; Neo-Punic monogram to reverse. 72.8 grams, 40 mm
Acquired on the UK art market, early 2000s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.
This remarkable slingshot offers a rare insight into a little-known period in the history of the Kingdom of Mauretania in the first century BC. The piece can be linked to King Mastanesosus, who is known to have shortened his name to “Sos.” He was the son of Bocchus I (c. 110–80s BC), the ruler who famously betrayed King Jugurtha of Numidia to Sulla and the Roman Republic. The Latin inscription reflects Rome's growing influence at the time. It may even suggest that Roman slingers were part of Sosus’s army. During this period, Mauretania was already coming under Roman control and influence. Later, Bocchus II, the grandson of Sosus, supported the winning side in Rome’s civil war, and Mauretania became a client kingdom. This eventually led to its full absorption into the Roman Empire after the murder of King Ptolemy, son of Juba, by the emperor Caligula. The reverse of the slingshot shows a monogram in neo-Punic, similar to those found on coins from the same period. This is almost certainly a personal symbol or mark of Sosus himself. The use of both Latin and Neo-Punic makes the piece bilingual, which is particularly interesting.
