Viking Period Socketted Spearhead Group
Circa 8th-10th century A.D. 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. See Hjardar, K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, pp.175 and 178, type A spear. 578 grams total, 24.5-28.5 cm (9 5/8 - 11 1/4 in). 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. [3, No Reserve]