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LOT 0262
Viking Iron Sword with Cross Guard Surmounted by Interlaced Dragons
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
35 1/4 in. (900 grams, 89.5 cm).
Comprising a double-edged cutting blade with tapering fullers and hefty tang; the bronze cross guard in Jellinge style with dragon head finials and a central human face to the lower edge; the pommel with seven lobes; accompanied by a bronze openwork chape with central bird motif decorated with stamped ring-and-dot design. [2]
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.11821-206859.
See 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; see a sword in the Musée de l’Armée published by Peirce (2002, pp.70-71), for a similar pommel; cf. Paulsen, P., Schwertortbänder der Wikingerzeit, Stuttgart, 1953, for the chape; see also Michalak, A., Socha, K., ‘A sword scabbard chape with a depiction of a bird of prey from the surroundings of Kostrzyn’ in Slavia Antiqua, 2017, LVIII, pp.159-174, figs.3-4.
FootnotesThe blade of the sword is very similar to Petersen Type K; the hilt is a typical Type K, but having seven rather than five lobes to the pommel. The chape, the parallels of which are mostly of late 10th and early 11th centuries, is probably a later addition, possibly reworked to be fitted to the sword.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0262
Viking Iron Sword with Cross Guard Surmounted by Interlaced Dragons
Sold for (Inc. bp): £8,450
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Luristan Bronze Spearhead Blade
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With a short tang and long blade, raised midrib, a rivet to the base. 254 grams, 33 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The spearhead belongs to type 2 according to the classification of Khorasani. A similar specimen was excavated by Negahban in Marlik. -
Mughal Jade Archer's Ring with Diamond, Rubies and Emeralds
18th-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Carved in mottled pale grey jade with radiating lotus leaves around the central hole, applied gold wire hoop and tendril detailing with two emeralds and six cabochon rubies inset, the central flower with inset teardrop facetted diamond; with a thin crack to the back of the hoop. 15.5 grams, 44.55 mm overall, 21.86 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z, USA 12 1/2, Europe 28.77, Japan 27).
Formerly in the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman, from the 1980s. Acquired in TimeLine Auctions sale 119, lot 2518. Property of a Kent collector. -
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Pseudo-Illyrian Chalcidian Variant Bronze Helmet
4th-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Large rounded two-part bowl rivetted beneath the repoussé crest extending across the brow and around the circumference; repoussé arches above the eyes extending to the nasal; lateral D-shaped cheek-pieces with scallop to the forward edge, pierced for a chin-strap; some restoration of the bowl and one cheek-piece; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.7 kg total, 48 cm high including stand
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. 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.11751-202770.
According both to Symonenko and Dedjulkin (2014, p.189, fig.9, nn.4-5-6), this category of helmet derives from Chalcidian types (with pseudo-Illyrian elements). As with Chalcidian helmets, our specimen shows vertical decorative lines on the bowl and triangular brow ornament. Distinct from Attic types, it does not have a protruding neck guard introduced on variant III of such helmets (Symonenko, 2014, fig. 15,2-3). According to Dedjulkin, these helmets derive from Greek prototypes, but are simplifications of the original models and made by local artisans. They were widely worn by mercenaries in the Hellenised armies of Pontus and other Hellenistic kingdoms across the Eastern Mediterranean.
