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LOT 1835
Bactrian Bronze Decorated Socketted Axehead
BRONZE AGE, 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
4 1/2 in. (104 grams, 11.6 cm).
Comprising a short tubular socket with flared neck to the angled blade; incised herringbone ornament to both faces flanked by pounced triangular panels in bilinear bands,
ProvenanceFrom an old English collection formed since 1960.
LiteratureCf. Curtis, J., Early Mesopotamian and Iran, London, 1993, fig.7, p.80 for a similar example.
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:
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Greek Lead Slingshot Group
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Comprising three lentoid-section bullets. 87 grams total, 27-37 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead or Javelin Head with Inscribed X
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Leaf-shaped with two cutting edges and a broad point, low midrib, on the face an incised 'X' in a square. 15.17 grams, 11.34 cm
Ex Guttman collection, Germany. with Christie's, 28 April 2004, no.27 (part). Acquired from Bidancient and Artifacts UK, 2009. Ex important collection of Greek artefacts, London, UK.
The letter X has been found in various Semitic/Accadic or even Philistine Inscriptions in the Levant: dated between 13th-10th centuries B.C.: on the Lachish bowl no.1, on the Ruweiseh arrowhead, on a Byblian bronze spatula, on the Ahiram graffito, at Yehimilk. This suggests that the arrow or javelin head has been made in the Levant or the Fertile Crescent. -
Greek Lead Slingshot of Alexander the Great
336-323 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved monogram 'AB = ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ' (Αlexandrou basileos), a rayed solar symbol, the so-called Argead Star, on the other side; extremely rare, first known specimen of this type. 28.6 grams, 30 mm
From a German private collection, formed since the 1980s.
The Argeads were an important Greek dynasty ruling over ancient Macedonia, with Alexander as the most prominent member of the royal house of the Argeads. The rayed solar symbol (Argead Star, Vergina Star) is interpreted as the historical royal symbol of the ancient Macedonian Dynasty of the Argeads, with its most famous member, Alexander the Great. Cf. a similar slingshot in the Musée du Louvre (INV 1497), acquired by the museum in 1825.
