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LOT 0260
Viking Iron Sword with Inlaid Hilt
8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
35 1/2 in. (1.05 kg, 90 cm).
Comprising a double-edged tapering blade showing shallow fullers and wide cutting edges; boat-shaped lower guard with inlaid vertical copper bands; the upper guard decorated in similar fashion; five-lobed pommel with deep grooves between the lobes, each lobe inlaid with copper bands.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
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.11592-199910.
See Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo, 1919; Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002.
FootnotesIt is the decoration and the structure of the sword that suggest classifying it as a type H of Petersen, rather than type R which usually presents a five-lobed pommel. The copper markings are artistically consistent with archaeological examples of decorative work of Viking swords, notably with the one in Suomen Kansallismuseo, Helsinki, published by Peirce (2002, pp.6off.). The decoration, which here takes the form of vertical copper lines, is striped as on the Helsinki specimen.
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Medieval Iron Spear Group
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
With conical sockets, one with foliate head, the other with long triangular head. 480 grams total, 27.5-35 cm
UK private collection, 1990s. Acquired from a provincial auction.
The spear was one of the many weapons of infantrymen and peasants during the Middle Ages. Götz von Berlichingen, who in 15th century A.D. was appointed as the leader of the peasants revolting against the noblemen, was recorded saying that ‘I beheld myself, suddenly encompassed with muskets, spears, and halberds, pointed at me. They cried that I should be their captain, in whether I would or not’. -
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
9th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Finno-Ugrian with triangular-section blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with spur to the underside, socket with extended lower sleeve. 779 grams, 17.5 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
During their struggles against Germans and Teutonic Knights, deceased pagans were often cremated along with damaged or ceremonially sacrificed weaponry. If swords were generally reserved for the military elite, the side axe was one of the most commonly used weapons. -
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South German Burgonet Helm
Circa 1560-1570 A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £944
The one-piece skull rising to a prominent baluster-shaped finial, facetted upper half, the lower writhen projecting forward to flat obtusely pointed integral peak and backwards to a similar but shorter integral neck-guard, hinged cheek-pieces embossed with a star with four points, an auditory hole between each arm; fitted internally with a quilted canvas lining; with possible punched 'eagle' maker mark to visor projection. 1.54 kg, 24 cm high
with Thomas Del Mar Ltd, 6th December 2017, lot 199. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Thomas Del Mar Ltd catalogue pages and purchase invoice. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11770-203982.
Most original burgonets feature some form of decoration. Rolled and roped edges and pierced cheek-pieces are common, and the finest burgonets were engraved, inlaid and/or selectively coloured and polished. Some were covered in fine cloth in the tradition of sallets. The name seems to be a corrupted form of bourguignotte, the contemporary French term for this helmet type.
