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THBMid-11th C. Viking Steel Broadsword w/ Silver Inlay
Lot 52a
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
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$10,000 - $15,000
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| $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
Oct 8, 2020
Set Reminder
2020-10-08 10:00:00
2020-10-08 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-5796
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal,Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal,Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (353)
- Lot Description
Northern Europe, Scandinavia, late Viking to early Medieval period, ca. mid-11th century CE. A superb broadsword forged from steel that bears a lengthy, double-edged blade that terminates in a sharpened tip. Within one side of the fuller that runs roughly 80% down is an inlaid 10% silver name reading "SETRIDVS" enclosed within petite crucifixes and the opposite side of the blade bears a singular crucifix, perhaps identifying the initial owner of this weapon. The tapered handle is long enough to accommodate a single hand and is encapsulated with a broad, straight guard and a rounded triangular pommel. Size: 41.1" L x 9.6" W (104.4 cm x 24.4 cm); quality of silver: 10%
A Viking's sword was a hugely valuable object, passed down through families as an heirloom, and was probably the most expensive item that a Viking 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 of money for the time.
Cf. Withers, Harvey J.S. "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Swords and Sabres." Lorenz Books, London, 2008, p. 108, top example.
Provenance: ex-estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000
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.
#159170Pommel likely reattached to top of handle. Minor nicks to blade edges, guard, and handle, with chipping to one letter of inlaid name, and very slight bending to overall form of blade. Fabulous patina throughout and great preservation to inlaid name.Condition
- Shipping Info
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