Loading, please wait...
LOT 0276
Viking Iron Sword with Three-Lobed Pommel
10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
36 3/4 in. (1.07 kg, 92.5 cm).
Double-edged cutting sword of Petersen Type S or T variant with tapering blade bearing some deep battle scars; boat-shaped straight lower guard and tapering tang; boat-shaped upper guard supporting a massive three-lobed pommel with remains of silver inlay to both sides.
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 a search certificate number no.12039-216430.
Cf. the sword finds parallels in various similar Viking age specimens of variant T, published in Petersen, J., De Norske Vikingsverd, Oslo, 1919, especially the sword from Utgården, seliord, Telemark, p.151, fig.121; or types S and T in Peirce, I., Swords of the Viking Age, Suffolk, 2002, pp.106-109, specimens C16430 and C18454-C3210 & C3211; Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIII no.11.
FootnotesThese swords were widely used in the Baltic area, to the extent that V. Kazakevicius noticed a variation within the decoration of some Type T swords, creating a Curonian type T, which were most likely of Baltic manufacture (at least the hilt construction). The traces of silver ornaments are not sufficient to determine the type of ornamentation, but the remains are artistically consistent with archaeological examples of decorative work from the geographic region or estimated cultural point of origin, probably Eastern Scandinavia or the Baltic areas.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0276
Viking Iron Sword with Three-Lobed Pommel
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,990
-
Viking Peterson Type X Sword with Inlaid Hilt
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
With pattern-welded double-edged blade, showing well-defined shallow fullers and wide cutting edges, the fullers occupying not less than one third of the entire width and running to a point about 19 cm from the tip; massive, simply decorated hilt; the pommel, as well as the cross-guard, with visible zig-zag patterns; the pommel of solid tea-cosy type, divided into two sections by a well marked groove, the bottom being the larger, the curved top portion of the pommel further divided into three lobes; traces of inlay visible on the pommel and on the cross-guard. 1.25 kg, 94 cm
Acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. From the property of a Suffolk collector.
The blade shows in its central section, and on both cutting edges, the blodiձa style pattern-welding through the central portion of the blade (Oakeshott, 1960, fig.70). The fine pattern-welded blade patterns of Viking swords are the blodiձa (Blood-Eddy) and 'ann' (rows of mown hay) known from Norse poetry. -
Margiana Bronze Axehead
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
With a narrow neck and rounded bill-shaped blade, rounded wings to the socket and square-headed stud behind. 289 grams, 18.3 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1988.
These categories of axes were of Oriental production, coming from the territories of Bactria and Margiana, occasionally imported to Elam and Luristan. The anthropomorphic and zoomorphic patterns are sometimes visible, and the button at the back of the heel (very common) is related to examples from Luristan, but the style differs markedly. -
Greek Bronze Arrowhead Group
Circa 5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Mainly socketed triangular-section types. 103 grams total, 20-39 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
