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LOT 1469
Viking Period Iron Sword Brazil Nut Pommel and Cross Guard
11TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/2 - 7 1/4 in. (330 grams total, 6.5-18.3 cm).
Comprising: pommel scaphoid in plan with biconvex profile, slot to underside to accept the tang (no corresponding hole at the top); lower guard rectangular in section with broad slot to lower face, rounded ends; Oakeshott type B / Geibig type 14 and 18. [2]
ProvenanceFrom the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Oakeshott, E., Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge, 1991.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1469
Viking Period Iron Sword Brazil Nut Pommel and Cross Guard
Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
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Greek Period High Quality Large Bronze Arrowhead Collection
5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Mostly long leaf-shaped types with short socket. 50 grams total, 30-45 mm
From an English collection formed before 2000. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Large Viking Age Iron Broken-Backed Knife 'Seax' Blade
8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With scooped forward edge, straight single edge and arched triangular back; transverse mounting tang. 208 grams, 37.5 cm
From a North American collection formed in the 1970s-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This knife seems to be of type IV, like the one found in the Thames at Wandsworth. Based on its similarities with a specimen from Canterbury, it could be dated to the 8th century A.D. Underwood classifies these kind of knives under the typology C (angled back-curved cutting edge) dating them from the mid 6th to early 8th century A.D. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Piriform in profile with narrow point, deep shoulder and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 125 grams, 79 mm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
