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THB10th C. Viking Iron Type X Broadsword w/ Metal Inlays
Lot 65
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$15,000 - $20,000
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
May 22, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-05-22 10:00:00
2019-05-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Day 1: Antiquities Asian Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-day-1-antiquities-asian-fine-art-4129
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional art from around the world - Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Viking, Russian, Near Eastern; Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, India; Fine Art from the 17th century to present. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional art from around the world - Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Viking, Russian, Near Eastern; Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, India; Fine Art from the 17th century to present. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (335)
- Lot Description
Northern Europe, Viking / Norse culture, ca. 10th century CE. A remarkably-preserved iron sword topped with a symmetrical pommel that emulates a rounded hilltop. A thin horizontal guard separates the wide, double-sided blade - which has a shallow groove down its center - with intricate copper alloy inlays near the guard on either side in the forms of a sun cross, a stand alone cross, and an intricate linear form with a cross in the middle. The narrow tang would have been wrapped in leather, ivory, or some other perishable material. Viking swords had heavy, double-edged iron blades that needed to be balanced with equally-heavy handles and pommels. Using Petersen's typology (1919), the pommel appears to be a Type X, which was made for a long time period - most of the 10th century - and has been found throughout Scandinavia and into northern and central Europe - indeed, a sword of similar style is depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry! Size (full w/ guard): 40.3" L x 9.8" W (102.4 cm x 24.9 cm); size (blade): 35.5" L x 1.8" W (90.2 cm x 4.6 cm).
A Viking's sword was a hugely valuable object, passed down through families as an heirloom, and probably the most expensive item that an individual could own. For example, from the hundreds of items found in Viking burials in Iceland, only sixteen are swords; they are more common in other parts of the Viking world, especially in Norway, but were still a high-status item. A sword given by King Haakon the Good (King of Norway from 934 to 961 CE) to the Icelander Hoskuldur in the Laxdaela Saga was worth a half mark of gold, or the value of sixteen dairy cows, which was a tremendous sum for the time.
Provenance: ex-private Green collection, England, United Kingdom
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#145925Guard and pommel may not be original to blade, but all components are ancient and assembled in ancient times. All components electrolytically cleaned for stabilization and preservation. Small losses to blade edges and copper alloy inlays as shown. Slight bending to overall form of blade and handle, with pitting across all components, and light oxidation. Light earthen deposits and fabulous patina throughout.Condition
- Shipping Info
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All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
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