Amlash Type Spearhead Bronze Spearhead Blade

Showing a long tapering blade with rounded shoulders and prominent mid-rib, the tang straight and rectangular in section. 411 grams, 40.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The weapon belongs to the type 1 of the Khorasani spearhead classification, mainly from the Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C., but the period of use is attested to at least until 1000 B.C.

Featuring a wedge-shaped blade and a lobed handle; the hilt fitted with an iron plate bending down to form points on each side of the blade, pommel with a discoid brass plate decorated with an incised flower motif. 307 grams, 46 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

The term 'ballock dagger' was used in medieval times to describe a dagger with a grip bearing a considerable resemblance to a phallic symbol. It was also called 'kidney dagger' during the Victorian times. The constant characteristic is the presence of two roundish and symmetrical bulbs at the guard, with the grip itself emerging upward between them and flaring slightly towards the top, sometimes being surmounted by a cap.

British infantry officer's sword - 1796 pattern with lion-head pommel and knuckle-guard, short curved quillon to the rear; leather scabbard with brass fittings and escutcheon below the frog with the legend 'R. Johnston / late / Bland & Foster / Sword Cutler / & Belt Maker to his / Majesty / -68- / St. James's St/ London'; guilloche detailing to the border and to the langets; hollow-ground blade with inlaid brass Arabic script to both faces, possibly a trophy from the Battle of the Nile in August, 1798. 1.23 kg, 95 cm total



From a Suffolk, UK, private collection.

Richard Johnston took over the sword- and belt-making business from John Bland, who died in 1791, and his surviving partner, Robert Foster, who died in 1798. After Bland's death, Foster and Johnston moved their premises from 70 St. James's Street to number 68 in the same street, and continued the business until Foster's death in 1798, after which Johnston took on another shop, then displaying the address as '38 & 68 St. James's Street'. The cartouche gives the address as '68 St. James's Street', which shows that the sword was produced, finished and sold in 1798.