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LOT 1084
Viking Period Socketted Spearhead Group
CIRCA 8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
9 5/8 - 11 1/4 in (578 grams total, 24.5-28.5 cm).
A group of three short iron spearheads with lentoid-section lanceolate blade, short neck and tapering circular socket with forge-welded split, single hole for attachment pin; remains of wood inside one of the shafts. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
See Hjardar, K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, pp.175 and 178, type A spear.
FootnotesThe spears belong to the type A of the first main group of Viking spears, the so-called Frankish spearheads, which occur between 750 and 950 A.D., but mainly in the 8th and 9th centuries. The Mediterranean influence is still evident on the foliate shape of the blade.
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Luristan Horse Harness Cheekpiece
11th-8th century B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A bronze cheek-piece element in the form of a righthand side bar, surmounted by two loops for additional straps, ending in a lion's head at the front, the other extremity bending outwards and ending with a conical tip, remains of the iron bar visible on the sides; once belonging to an articulate bit. 130 grams, 13.5 cm wide
Fine condition.
Acquired mid 1980s to early 1990s. Private family collection formed in London, UK.
The association of Psalia in the shape of a bar and with an articulated bit is documented in Assyria, in Media and in central Iran starting from the 10th century B.C., but the zoomorphic elements of this specimen suggest that it was produced in Luristan. The use of articulated bits, which moved inside the horse's mouth, exerting a minimal pressure on the reins, allowed for better control of the mount. -
Greek Arrowhead Group
5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
A group of bronze socketted arrowheads of various types, including lozenge-shaped examples, spurred types and examples with triangular cross-sections. 68.3 grams total, 24-45 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Marlik Decorated Spearhead
13th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A bronze spearhead with long blade and broad midrib with incised decoration to each side, rectangular-section bent tang, reinforced shaft with ribbed horizontal bands interspersed with bands of geometric motifs. 329 grams, 32.7 cm
Ex S. Motamed collection. with Bellman's Auctions, 20th-26th June 2015, lot 2482. Property of a London gentleman.
In this category (Type II of the Khorasani typology) the shaft has a tang with a bend towards the end. The blade has three fullers, and the shaft is usually engraved with diagonal lines. Similar pieces were excavated by Dr Negahban in Marlik.
