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LOT 1115
Viking Rus Silver-Gilt Sword Belt End Group
10TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 - 2 in. (34 grams total, 37-50 mm).
Comprising four sword belt strap ends of roughly rectangular form, with one rounded or gabled end and one fishtail end, each bearing a different nielloed decorative scheme, comprising: one with split front plate bearing geometric foliage framed by radiating lines to the perimeter; one with pelletted border and medial scrolled bar; one displaying a medial row of circular recesses and surrounding circular motifs; one decorated with five medial circular recesses on a ground of foliate forms, pellet border; all with a set of mounting lugs to the reverse. [4]
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1980s-1990s.
Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.
Cf. Murasheva, V.V., Old Russian belt ornaments, Moscow, 2000, pl.61, for similar types.
FootnotesDuring the medieval period, belts had a range of functions. They girdled the clothes and enabled suspension of small items such as knives, whetstones, purses and leather bags. The decoration of the belt depended on the social status of its owner: peasants wore woven and simple leather straps, whereas large feudal lords, prominent warriors, and princes wore golden belts, which were passed down through the generations.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1115
Viking Rus Silver-Gilt Sword Belt End Group
Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)
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Viking Age And Later Iron Axehead Group
Circa 11th-18th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Composed of socketted axeheads, hammer heads, adze-axes and wedges of various types; including examples stamped with maker's marks. 7.8 kg total, 9.5-26.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Burmese Iron Single-Edged Sword with Scabbard
19th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £52
Comprising a smooth, slightly curved and unornamented blade, the hilt wrapped with organic plaited and plain string; tubular bamboo(?) scabbard wrapped with plaited string. 886 grams, 91 cm long
Ex Reeman Dansie, Colchester, Essex, UK.
The dha may have its origins with the Tai people who migrated to the area from present-day Yunnan Province in southern China. This sabre varied considerably according to locality but they shared some features that define them apart from other weapons and tools of the area, like the round cross-section grip, a long, gently curving blade with a single edge, and the absence of a guard. -
Viking Age Bronze Sword Scabbard Chape Collection
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Comprising: one heater-shaped with openwork raven motif to each face; one similar with openwork raven enmeshed in tendrils; one with fleur-de-lys to the centre of each upper edge and a lobed spur to each side; one with openwork quatrefoil to each face and knop finial to the apex. 145 grams total, 55-85 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
