Viking T-Bar Iron Axehead

A nearly complete short-sleeved ring armour composed of interlocking links in the four-through-one formation with alternating rivetted rings. 4.71 kg, 65 x 75 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13041-248010.

The rings are arranged in rows, and the links within the same row do not join. Instead, each ring connects to two rings in the row above and two in the row beneath. A great majority of all-rivetted mail comes from Southern Scandinavia and Northern Europe, notably Sweden, northern Germany and Poland. All-rivetted mail already occurs there during the Roman Iron Age, and continues into the Migration, the Vendel, and then the Viking periods. Rivetted rings were usually fabricated by shaping metal wire into a circle with the ends overlapping several mm. Here, the riveted rings seem to be of reshaped oval form.

Egg-shaped with spiked prongs to the socket, narrow rounded cutting edge. 148 grams, 13.2 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

The 'claw mace' was an enigmatic ancient bronze weapon from the Bronze Age Near East. The hollow bulbous head was trailed by tines of varying lengths. It is believed that it was affixed over a wooden shaft and used like a club in combat, and not necessarily used as ceremonial weapon. The knife-edge bulb end could have broken bones and proven to be a formidable striking weapon requiring no skill to wield. The tines would have not only been decorative, but have served to add strength below the striking end to prevent breakage. In battle, maces were often used by commanders to display rank when giving orders in battle and leading soldiers, inspiring leadership and power. Egg-shaped with spiked sleeves or prongs, the top of the weapon with a narrow edge, the sleeves with small internal tangs for mounting.

Comprising a lentoid-section bulbous grip with lateral stub quilloons and carinated spur to both faces ending in a trefoil, dished disc pommel with dome and knop; curved knuckle-guard with returned knop finial; reserved panels of arabesque foliage ornament, rosettes and linear detailing. 447 grams, 19.1 cm



Private collection, UK.