c.11th century AD. An iron spearhead of diamond shape, broad socket with scooped shoulders, hole for fixing stud to the socket. See D'Amato, R., The Varangian Guard, 988-1453 AD, Oxford, 2010, p.39 no.C, for a similar specimen possibly from the Drastar battlefield. 194 grams, 31cm (12 1/4"). Property of a London gallery; previously from a private British collection; formerly acquired from a European gentleman; acquired in the 1990s and earlier. The spear is almost identical to examples carried by Rus mercenaries and the Varangian Guard in the Balkans, recovered from the archaeological excavations of the Drastar battlefield, and to spears carried by the presumed Varangians represented on the folio 26v of the Skilitzes Manuscript in Madrid. Condition Report Fair condition, cleaned and conserved.