Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Tapering leaf-shaped type with raised flat-section midrib in the upper third, rounded shoulders with short rectangular-section tang pierced at the upper end; lower blade lozenge-section with light bulb at the point. 358 grams, 46.8 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980s-2010.

Biconical in profile with a brownish patina, one side decorated with a double-axe labrys. 30.5 grams, 27 mm



Previously property of an Austrian collector, Vienna, Austria. From a German private collection, formed since the 1980s.

Since Minoan times, the labrys was an important symbol in the Greek world, illustrating power. This glans can be linked to lead bullets showing the same labrys symbol on one side and the name 'ΤΕΙΣΕΑ' on the other side. The name 'Τεισέας' might come from Caria or Lycia.

With an ovate blade, prominent central rib and rounded shoulders, square-section shaft with flared lateral spurs forming a collar, rectangular tang with narrow tip. 347 grams, 29.6 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Including leaf-shaped, heater-shaped, barbed and other types. 291 grams total, 9.2-16.6 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980s-2010.

Comprising: crescentic triangular-section blade with herringbone pattern to the rear edge, six integral attachment struts, tubular socket with transverse fixing pin. 478 grams, 22.9 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. From a gentleman's collection from East Sussex, UK.

Broad slightly curved blade with thick back and shallow fuller, narrow pointed tip; hollow iron grip with 'figure-of-eight' guard protecting the gripping hand and the knuckles; 1801-4 patent type; with old collector's tag 'British Figure of Eight Naval boarding cutlass - smooth grip pattern 1801-4 (then corrugated grip 1840)' 883 grams, 83 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

The hilt pattern was replaced in 1840 by a type with similar guard but with a ribbed grip.

Barbed and tanged type with thick square-section neck and long tang. 179 grams total, 15-17 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980-2010.

The blade expanding towards the shoulders, a pierced rectangular-section tang. 174 grams, 29.2 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1990s.

Broad double-edged blade with raised gusseted midrib, rounded tip and short tang. 381 grams, 37.7 cm



Ex West Country, UK, collection, 1990s.

With lanceolate head, square-section neck and rounded shoulders. 50.6 grams, 16.6 cm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Comprising a cylindrical shaft with flared mouth, rounded flanges around the bulb, and horizontal stepped collars. 263 grams, 13.4 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Comprising leaf-shaped and triangular tanged arrowheads, most with a raised midrib. 238 grams total, 8.1-18.7 cm



London, UK, collection, 1990s.

All these bronze typologies of arrowheads were cast in moulds. Similar specimens have been found in Northwest and West Iran, Azerbaijan, Luristan and Amlash. Most of these blades are bipartite, but the definition of the bipartite type is not absolute, as it brings together weapons of very different and unrelated designs. In fact, some weapons do not have a sufficiently characteristic shape to be interpreted as a javelin or long arrowhead.