Loading, please wait...
LOT 1090
Amlash Tanged Spearhead
12TH CENTURY B.C.
19 1/4 in. (637 grams, 49 cm).
Composed of a tapering leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib, splayed neck and tapering tang.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market, prior to 1980s.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
See Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, s. cat 280, for type.
FootnotesThe weapon belongs to the type 1 of the Khorasani spearhead classification, mainly from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 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.
LOT 1090
Amlash Tanged Spearhead
Estimate £250 - 350€290 - 410 (for guidance only)$340 - 470 (for guidance only)
-
Tudor Period Iron Dagger
16th century A.D. or laterEstimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £40
Comprising a single cutting edge and tang. 155 grams, 28.5 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. -
Roman Bronze Military Helmet Face Guard Section
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
From the right side of the face mask, the upper edge with a band of embossed diagonal lines, probably intending to represent stylised hair, embossed spiral to the centre, a symbol clearly connected with the worship of the sun; a hole for the fastening thongs at ear-level which originally linked the face-guard to the bowl. 75 grams, 13 cm high
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
The spiral decoration of the face-guard is connected with the solar cult. The spiral represents the rotary movement of the sun, and the spiral is probably the oldest known spiritual symbol connected with the sun, together with the swastika or tetragammadion. The connection can also be seen in Celtic art, where the representation of the spiral also follows the path of the sun, describing the movements of the heavenly body over the course of a solar year. The third century was characterised by diffusion of the solar cult, the Sol Invictus, among the Roman soldiers, with its symbols often represented on arms and weapons as an apotropaic element of protection. -
Roman Bronze Military Mask Helmet Section
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
From the upper part of the right side of the face mask, the upper edge with a band of embossed curved lines, probably representing stylised hairs, intertwined with laurel crown; embossed image of advancing Mars, the god of war, to the centre, depicted nude with military sagum, a pseudo-Corinthian helmet to the head and carrying a circular shield. 55 grams, 17 cm wide
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
In the decorative patterns of Roman helmets, Mars was among the most revered deities in the Imperial army. After Jupiter, he was the most aristocratic god of the old Italic religion, master of armament, who governed military service (militiae potens) and oversaw the training ground, for which he was named Campester. The emperor Augustus named him Ultor (‘Avenger’) and dedicated to him a luxurious temple in the centre of the forum in gratitude for his victory over the murderers of Caesar and, in addition, granted to him the privileges of the Capitoline Jupiter.