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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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Viking Period Bearded Type Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
A hand-forged iron skeggöx (bearded axe) with asymmetrical triangular section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin, curved edge, flared wings to the scooped socket and dorsal bar. 855 grams, 20 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade, often perforated through the centre. They are characterised by two projections spurs from the top and the bottom of the back of the shaft-hole. -
Viking Rus Period Bearded Type Axehead
Circa 11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
An iron axehead with sturdy neck and slightly curved triangular blade; socket with lateral flanges and long rectangular extension to the rear. 746 grams, 19 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The axe seems to be a variation of type III of the Kirpichnikov classification of the Eastern Rus Axes typology - battle axes with downwards blade, two pairs of side wings and an elongated cut-out butt. Paulsen called the related type "Varangian group" of North Baltic axes. -
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Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda
45 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 63.29 grams, 36 mm
Fine condition.
Found near to an important village site, close to Seville, 1960-1970. From an old Spanish collection. Swiss private collection. Accompanied by a copy of the Spanish export licence. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'.
The shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against the last fellows of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used in the Caesar's wars. The slingers of Caesar's age were part of the light infantry. Caesar speaks of his Balearic slingers during the conquest of Gaul. They wore a short tunic, with leather or rope sandals to the feet, and a warm overcoat which could also have been used to store projectiles. They also used a satchel to carry very deadly lead-like stones or bullets.
