Loading, please wait...

Bactrian Bronze Claw Axehead-Mace Bactrian Bronze Claw Axehead-Mace Bactrian Bronze Claw Axehead-Mace
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 1546

Bactrian Bronze Claw Axehead-Mace

2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.

4 1/4 in. (190 grams, 10.9 cm).

Egg-shaped with spiked sleeves or prongs, the top of the weapon with a narrow edge.

Provenance

Acquired on the UK art market before 2000.
Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Footnotes

The 'claw mace' was an enigmatic ancient bronze weapon from the Bronze Age Near East. The hollow bulbous head was trailed by tines of varying lengths. It is believed that it was affixed over a wooden shaft and used like a club in combat, and not necessarily used as ceremonial weapon. The knife edge bulb end could have broken bones and proven to be a formidable striking weapon requiring no skill to wield. The tines would have not only been decorative, but have served to add strength below the striking end to prevent breakage. In battle, maces were often used by commanders to display rank when giving orders in battle and leading soldiers, inspiring leadership and power. Egg-shaped with spiked sleeves or prongs, the top of the weapon with a narrow edge, the sleeves with small internal tangs for mounting.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine 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.

Live Bidding

LOT 1546

Bactrian Bronze Claw Axehead-Mace

Sold for (Inc. bp): £117

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Massive Amlash Bronze Spearhead Blade
    Massive Amlash Bronze Spearhead Blade
    9th-7th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £260

    With ovate blade, strong midrib and socketted shaft with fastening holes. 729 grams, 38.5 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    The massive spear was used by chariot fighters to strike each other, or strike the enemy infantry from above. Similar specimens with longer sockets were excavated by Negahban in Amlash area. According to Moorey, sockets as long, if not longer than the blade, are a characteristic of Iranian spearheads in the late 2nd and early 1st millennium B.C. A similar spearhead from the Tappeh Sialk has been dated 9th-7th century B.C.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Bronze Blade
    Luristan Bronze Blade
    8th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £364

    Pointed blade with shallow midrib increasing in width near the ricasso, cast in one with the hilt, square shoulders, circular hilt with horizontal grooves, pommel with facing horses heads. 167 grams, 44 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    The skill of the Iranian metalworkers of this period is reflected in the numerous ornate pommels in bronze and iron found on weapons from Luristan and Iron Age Talish graves, which show close connections with the Lelvar culture of Southern Caucasus.

    Lot Details

  • Marlik Bronze Spearhead
    Marlik Bronze Spearhead
    14th-10th century B.C.

    Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £100

    With rounded shoulders and square-section mid-rib running to the tip; short tang. 280 grams, 38.5 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    The blade belongs to the type VI of Marlik spearheads according to the Khorasani classification, with a long blade and a short tang, slightly rounded shoulders and pronounced midrib. Such spearheads have been excavated from the Marlik Royal Cemetery by Dr Negahban in Tomb 15, Trench XIII G.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list