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LOT 1041
Viking Rus Period Bearded Type Axehead
CIRCA 11TH CENTURY A.D.
7 1/2 in. (746 grams, 19 cm).
An iron axehead with sturdy neck and slightly curved triangular blade; socket with lateral flanges and long rectangular extension to the rear. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
Cf. Kirpichnikov, A.N., Drevnerusskoe Oruzie (Ancient Russian Weapons), II, Moscow-Leningrad, 1966, in Arkheologia SSSR, vol. E1-36, especially axe no.2, from (pl.XVIII) from Zauzhelie; Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate V, item 23.
FootnotesThe 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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Marlik Sword with Decorated Hilt
14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
A bronze sword with flanged hilt, penannular guard and strong midrib running to the pointed tip, hilt and pommel open to accept inlays, bronze fastening nail still visible in the pommel. 477 grams, 39 cm
Ex S. Motamed collection. with Bellman's Auctions, 20th-26th June 2015, lot 2482. Property of a London gentleman.
According to Khorasani and Negahban, blade and grip of this kind of swords were cast in one-piece mould. The penannular guard was later added to the blade. -
Volga-Ural Nomad Sabre
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £381
An iron single-edged sabre with slightly curving blade showing battle nicks, evidence of a possible iron extension together with a tongue to the side of the blade, beneath the straight guard. 725 grams, 89 cm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Various sabres of similar typology were found in a complex of medieval nomad weapons in archaeological excavations in the steppe and forest-steppe zone of the Volga-Ural region; chronologically, they were dated to the 9th-11th centuries. -
Viking Period Socketted Spearhead Group
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £663
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. 578 grams total, 24.5-28.5 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The 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.
