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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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Victorian 1845 Pattern Officer's Sword by Buckmaster
19th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £83
Composed of a slightly curved and fullered blade with crowned VR monograms, royal arms and maker's name and London address; with half-basket pierced brass guard and hilt bearing openwork crowned VR monogram; ray skin hilt with wire binding, 733 grams, 97 cm
Acquired from ROA Antique Arms, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the ROA purchase invoice and listing. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Long Sword
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Composed of a tanged and barbed blade with raised midrib to both faces, extending the full-length of the weapon. 470 grams, 57 cm
Private UK collection, 1980s. Ex London gallery.
In the last ninety years many such tanged blades have been considered coming from centres of production of North-West Iran, like Amlash and Marlik. Without context an accurate dating is impossible, but the shape recalls the rapiers of Bronze Age or Early Iron Age. -
Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hooks
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Each a scrolled bar with gently carinated upper face, formed as serpents or other animals with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to one terminal. 16.5 grams total, 65 mm each
Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier.
