Loading, please wait...
LOT 0339
Amarlu Type Bronze Sword with Mushroom Pommel
LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
20 1/4 in. (598 grams, 51.5 cm).
With solid hilt having a penannular guard, an openwork grip and a conical cast mushroom pommel, the blade with pronounced mid-rib and tapering to a sharp point.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See typology of such swords in Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, pp.393-396, cat.31-36.
FootnotesAccording to Moorey, such swords with mushroom pommels originated from North-Western Iran, as proved by Amarlu finds. He dates them to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C., more precisely to a period between 1400-1200 B.C.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Medieval Iron Bearded Axehead
Circa 14th-16th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £39
With broad curved blade and square chin, broad neck, deep socket with square-section hammer to the reverse. 766 grams, 13.2 cm
Ex North American collection, 1970s-1990s. -
Viking Iron Sword with Three-Lobed Pommel
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,510
Comprising a two-edged blade with broad fuller and rounded tip, narrow lower guard with rounded outer ends, broad tang, lobed pommel of Type U with cocked-hat profile and lower guard, traces of silvering. 848 grams, 92 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12356-225922.
Petersen considered this type of Viking sword similar to the previous types R and S, but with differences in the pommel and cross-guard. The traces of silver ornaments on the guard and pommel are artistically consistent with archaeological examples of decorative work from the geographic region or estimated cultural point of origin, probably Eastern Scandinavia or the Baltic areas. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Short Sword with Integral Hilt with Horns
Late 2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £180 - 240 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
With prominently curved guard, which extends out from the ricasso of the blade and partly frames the hilt, thick flat midrib extending slightly above the ricasso where it held the hilt. 466 grams, 53 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately, and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers had a northern Iranian background and excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian Area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti.
